Chapter XY. 



ADMIRALTY INLET. 



ULY 19th. — It is surprising how very 

 popular an expedition of discovery to- 

 wards the North Pole appears to be 

 with every one. Yesterday the mate 

 was inquiring, in case a Government expedition 

 started, whether there would be any chance of his 

 being appointed as ice-master. I have met no man 

 in these ships better qualified for such a duty, or 

 more competent for such a situation ; young, power- 

 ful, a good walker, an excellent shot, — these are a 

 few of the qualities he possesses, joined to a most 

 daring and enterprising character. One of the 

 crew of the " Polaris," a German, also came to me, 

 saying he had heard that there was a chance of an 

 expedition going next year, and that he was very 

 desirous of joining it. He is a fine, intelligent 

 man, of whom they all speak most highly, and was 

 one of the two who saw the most northern land, 



