TIDINGS FROM THE POLAR EXPLORING COLONY. 595 



ing hummocks of ice. In all my travels I had constantly the main object in view, 

 to gather supplies of all kinds for the coming United States expedition, of which 

 I had word through European mail. I was collecting dogs, sledges, clothes, 

 dog food, or gaining promises for the same, and so far won the friendship and 

 confidence of the Esquimaux who could be useful to an expedition, as to have 

 obtained in advance their promise to go as guides whenever I called for them 

 after the expedition arrived. This premature work will certainly be of incalcula- 

 ble value to our expedition in point of time saved, as it will doubtless be a ne- 

 cessity for them to hasten toward Lady Franklin Bay, not only that they may 

 reach there themselves, but that the ship may return to the States before the ice 

 could close them in; hence there would be little time for search of provisions, 

 dogs, natives, etc. 



I will have by the date of the arrival of the ship all that can be collected or 

 promised between Godhaven and Upernavik. I have had a quantity of clothing 

 of the warmest and best fur made for myself and the sledge party who will be ex- 

 posed to the rigors of winter by sledge travel. I crossed the Strait of Waigat, 

 about thirty miles. It separates the main coast from the Island of Disco, After 

 camping one day on the shore of the island, on account of the weather, which 

 was too rough for a whale-boat, I proceeded toward Godhaven, where I expected 

 to await the coming United States ship. This strait is peculiarly striking and has 

 heretofore been grandly described by another. 



After leaving this poetical spot we pulled to the oars all night, and in the 

 morning, while turning a point about two miles from Godhaven, saw the three 

 masts of a ship, and very soon the smoke-stack appeared. We gave three cheers 

 for the American expedition, which we were certain this must be. An hour 

 more and I was aboard — after a long, dreary year, once more with companions 

 from home — with letters in hand, gifts spread before us, fast-repeated messages 

 and greetings, making din and confusion about us. Few will have known the 

 joy of such a meeting and such awful gloom and dreariness of abode and heart. 



The Proteus surprised me in its early arrival, as it will every one conversant 

 with the ratio of travel heretofore in this region. McClintock, in search of 

 Franklin, was detained a whole year by ice in this locality, and scores of whalers 

 and expeditions have been lost or delayed fatally at this point. The Proteus had 

 been waiting for me two days, while I expected to have several days or weeks to 

 await her arrival after this date. This trip is a good proof of the progress which 

 can be made by persistent effort in overcoming certain seeming retrogrades, be- 

 cause of disappointment of season and unfavorable ice, which must, and is proved, 

 will be favorable at times, and can then be taken advantage of {as in this case), 

 if science is seeking the open sesame every year, regardless of discouragements 

 and past failures. 



After reaching the Carey Islands two parties went ashore, myself and Lieut. 

 Kislingbury, to the cairn erected in this island, the most southeast of the group. 

 Commander Greeley and Lieut. Lockwood walked along the shore to the depot 

 of provisions, placed here at the same time by Capt. Nares, of the English expe- 



