BOAT JOURNEYS AND PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER 6^ 



of a large party they can easily make from ten to fifteen miles 

 per day. 



Thursday, October i. The day has been fine; the house 

 is gradually assuming a cozy as well as comfortable appear- 

 ance under Mr. Peary's supervision. He is about from 

 morning until night, limping a great deal, but he has put 

 aside his crutches for good. At night his foot and leg are 

 swollen very much, but after the night's rest look better, al- 

 though far from normal. Ikwa went out on the ice to-day for 

 some distance to test its strength. I took my daily walk to 

 the fox-traps, and as usual found no foxes had been near them. 



Sunday, October 4. Nothing of any consequence has taken 

 place since the return of the explorers. The boys have been 

 at work on the house, hanging blankets, putting up shelves, 

 etc. Friday I found one of my traps sprung, and a great many 

 tracks around it, but no fox. On Saturday we went down to the 

 point one quarter of a mile below the house, Mr. Peary walk- 

 ing without cane or crutch, and set a fox-trap on the rocks 

 near some tracks. All this time the weather has been perfect. 

 To-day Dr. Cook tried going out on the ice, but it did not 

 hold him. The bunks of the boys have been placed against 

 the east side of the large room and separate curtains furnished. 

 The winter routine of four-hourly watches throughout the 

 twenty-four hours was begun to-day, the boys taking them 

 in turn. 



Monday, October 5. It has been cloudy all day long, but 

 with a temperature of about 12°. It still seems warm, as 



