STARTING FOR SHORE. 



625 



glass we discovered a boat, and at some distance therefrom a 

 tent. The ice for a few miles is very thin ; but we risked it, 

 and returned to head-quarters, weak but thankful to God, and 

 rejoicing for our increase of stores. We have now eleven bags 

 of bread, thirteen cans of pemmican, eleven dozen cans of meats, 

 soups, etc., and fourteen hams. 31st. Sent Joe and Hans with 

 a dog team to see how the ice will stand, as we intend starting 

 to-morrow for shore. If the ice hold good we shall be there in 

 two or three days. If we reach the shore we shall live better, 

 as we may kill some game. 



"November 2d. — Ice open and water all around us. We 

 started before daylight with the dogs and sled, not knowing 

 what had happened until we were nearly driven into the 

 water. The ice closed in a little. We tried again, and ven- 

 tured across on the other floe. Saved one rake, some of Joe's 

 clothing, three guns, and a few other things. Wiien the men 

 returned to the crack it was just opening ; they had got across 

 just in time, as the ice opened and the floe has not been seen 

 since. 2>d. Building snow houses. No chance now of getting 

 ashore; must now give that up. 6th. Joe caught a seal, which 

 is a Godsend. We are having a feast to-night ; three-fourths 

 of a pound of food to a man. Mr. Meyer made a pack of cards 

 for us from some thick paper, and we are now playing euchre. 

 We are a good deal further from land, and are drifting south 

 pretty smart. 16th. Joe saw three seals yesterday and a fox 

 track, but got nothing. We have nothing to feed our dogs on. 

 They got at the provisions to-day. We have shot five, leaving 

 four. Shot some two weeks since. We are lining our new 

 hut with canvas. 2\st. The natives caught two seals. They 

 shot three, but lost one of them in the young ice. We shot 

 two dogs. They got at our provisions. 28th. Thanksgiving 

 Day. We have had a feast : four pint cans of mock turtle soup, 

 six pint cans of green corn made into scouch. Afternoon, three 



ounces of bread and the last of our chocolate. 

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