206 SECOND JOURNEY TO THE 



express injunction that it was not to be un- 

 furled before the expedition reached the 

 sea. I will not attempt to describe my 

 emotions as it expanded to the breeze ; 

 however natural, and, for the moment, irre- 

 sistible, I felt that it was my duty to sup- 

 press them, and that I had no right, by an 

 indulgence of my own sorrows, to cloud the 

 animated countenances of my companions. 

 Joining, therefore, with the best grace that 

 I could command, in the general excite- 

 ment, I endeavoured to return, with cor- 

 responding cheerfulness, their warm con- 

 gratulations on having thus planted the 

 British flag on this remote island of the 

 Polar Sea." 



Being fully satisfied and highly delighted 

 with the favourable prospect of the land 

 and sea to the westward, from this advanced 

 position, the party made the best of their 

 way back, and joined their companions at 

 winter - quarters on the 5th September. 

 About the same time Dr. Richardson re- 

 turned from the north-eastern shores of 

 Great Bear Lake, where it approached 



