of reaching the North Pole. 317 
able in the shoal water, close under the land, in the narrow shore 
leads of Smith’s Strait. 
e co. > qua 
tities of their dried flesh (cured without salt) could be obtained of 
the natives and Danish officials. It was the original intention of 
great risk of losing the ¢ g his _groun 
of search before the close of the season. This delay was occa- 
sioned, as you are aware, by the unfortunate sickness which, 
iy nearly a month, prevented his departure from New 
The “ Middle Ice” commences to break up about the first of 
June or late in May, and the passage into Smith's Strait could 
effected _ b 
by the first of A Running up the coast of 
Grinnell Land, I should select a safe harbor at some eligible point 
as far north as the ice would admit, and _pass the winter. 
I already expressed -in the practicability of reach- 
