1870 GREENLAND SLEDGE JOURNEY. 89 



over which we had to find a way. This took half a 

 day of road-cutting and bridge-making, for such large 

 masses have wide gaps between them ; our only con- 

 solation for the delay was the thought that it would be 

 a lasting work, and might prove useful to others. The 

 men by this time were becoming skilful road-makers, 

 and the officers practised engineers. 



c The tents being pitched, the provisions were re- 

 distributed amongst the three remaining sledges, a 

 cairn built, and a site selected for the depot to be left 

 for our return journey. Having written a letter to 

 Captain Nares of our proceedings up to that date, I 

 despatched George W. Emmerson on his way back to 

 the " Alert." 



' On the 27th April we started northward, having 

 secured in the depot a few things of which we were 

 not in want, to lighten as much as possible the now 

 very heavy sledges. 



' Our way led us round the harbour, which is about 

 two and-a-half miles broad, and at present only half 

 a mile deep ; but if this is the Eepulse Harbour of the 

 Americans, it is no wonder that from a distance it 

 appeared to them a desirable place of refuge ; the 

 background of hills gives it the appearance of a large 

 bay, nearly three miles deep, with two islands in it, 

 the remainder of the land between the hills and the sea 

 being so flat and low as scarcely to be distinguished 

 from the floe. No doubt it is an old harbour, and 

 even now, for some considerable distance in, the land 

 is covered with ice. A wide and deep valley on the same 

 level runs from the north-east corner of this dry bay. 



' On the 28th we passed the farthest point reached 



