FARE\VELL TO GREENLAND 203 



was intended that tlie <' Kite " should join him. Another 

 party were making thorough search through the valley. After 

 leaving me some provisions the " Kite" continued on her way 



to Robertson Bay. 



Tuesday, August 23. We have had no tidings from the 

 search-parties since the "Kite" left us Sunday evenmg. I 

 am verv much afraid that we shall never see our lost compan- 

 ion alive again. The weather since he has been in the f^eld 

 has been exceptionally cold, raw, and wet, and he was clothed 

 very lightly; besides, his food must have given out some days 

 aco The natives all agree that no one could have slept with- 

 out shelter in the furious gales which we have had lately, 

 clothed as lightly as Verhoeff was; and as they have the 

 experience which we lack, I cannot help feeUng that there is 

 truth in what they say, so to-night I go to bed with a heavy 

 heart. With the dark winter night passed in safety and com- 

 fort and the long sledge journey accomplished successfully, it 

 seems sad indeed that we should now, on the eve of our de- 

 parture, meet with so great a loss. 



Wednesday, August 24. About two o'clock this morning 

 Mane came running in to me with the news that the ship was 

 coming, and I at once went out on the beach to await her. In 

 half an hour she dropped anchor, and Mr. Peary, with the other 

 members of our party, came ashore bringing the sad tidings 

 that VerhoefT's footprints had been found and traced upon 

 a great glacier which was cut by numberless wicked-looking 

 crevasses, and there lost. After searching the glacier in every 



