April, 1859. PART COMPANY FROM HOBSON. 255 



the 25tli, 26th, and 27th we were confined to 

 our tents by a very heavy south-east gale, with 

 severe cold. Early on the 28th we reached 

 Cape Victoria ; here Hobson and I separated. 

 He marched direct for Cape. Felix, King 

 "William's Land, whilst I kept a more southerly 

 course. Not daring to leave depots upon this 

 coast, we carried on our whole supply, intend- 

 ing to deposit a small portion upon the Clarence 

 Islands. 



Hobson was unwell when we parted, com- 

 plaining of stiffness and pain in his legs ; neither 

 of us then suspected the cause. I gave him 

 directions to search the west coast of King 

 William's Island for the stranded ship and 

 for records, and to act upon such information 

 as he might obtain in this way, or from the 

 natives ; but should that shore prove destitute 

 of traces, to carry out if possible our original 

 plan for the completion of discovery and search 

 upon Victoria Land, comprising the blank space 

 between the extremes visited by Captain Collin- 

 son and Mr. Wynniatt. 



I soon found that my party had to labour 

 across a rough pack ; nor was it until the third 

 day that we completed the traverse of the strait, 

 and encamped near to the entrance of Port 

 Parry, in King William's Island. Although 



