SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA. 247 



we had reached the point, beyond which 

 perseverance would be rashness, and our 

 best efforts would be fruitless. In order 

 to put the reader completely in possession 

 of the motives which would have influenced 

 me, had I been entirely a free agent, I have 

 mentioned them without allusion to the 

 clause in my Instructions which directed me 

 to commence my return on the 15th or 

 20th of August, 6 if, in consequence of 

 slow progress, or other unforeseen accident, 

 it should remain doubtful whether we should 

 be able to reach Kotzebue's Inlet the same 

 season.' 



" In the evening I communicated my de- 

 termination to the whole party ; they re- 

 ceived it with the good feeling that had 

 marked their conduct throughout the voy- 

 age, and they assured me of their cheerful 

 acquiescence in any order I should give. 

 The readiness with which they would have 

 prosecuted the voyage, had it been ad- 

 visable to do so, was the more creditable, 

 because many of them had their legs swelled 

 and inflamed from continually wading in 



