>7 



PREFACE. 



Before this book passes from the writer's hands into those of 

 the reader, the author will be once more among the ice of the arc- 

 tic regions. Though the last page of manuscript was written on 

 the morning of my embarkation, the book itself has been no 

 hasty work. I returned nearly two years ago from the expedi- 

 tion which I have endeavored to describe. Almost every hour 

 since then, which could be spared from the arrangements for my 

 second expedition, has been devoted to the preparation of this 

 volume from my voluminous journal and notes taken on the 

 spot. 



Before dismissing the book, however, from my hands, I wish to 

 say a few words by way of explanation of certain matters con- 

 nected with my explorations. The reader will perhaps wonder 

 why so much importance was given to the discovery of the Fro- 

 bisher relics. I answer, partly because of the interest which at- 

 tached itself to the remains of men so long ago left in that waste 

 land ; but partly, too, because the discovery of these remains, and 

 the tracing of their history among the Esquimaux, confirmed, in 

 a remarkable manner, my belief that these people retain among 

 them, with great positiveness, the memory of important and strange 

 incidents; and as their traditions of Frobisher, when I was able to 

 get at them, were so clear, I am persuaded that among them may 

 be sought, by one competent, with every chance of complete suc- 

 cess, the sad history of Sir John Franklin's men. 



To make myself competent for this more interesting and im- 

 portant research, I patiently acquired the language and familiar- 

 ized myself with the habits of the Esquimaux. I return now to 



