OUR ESCAPE FROM THE DREADED LAND. 



315 



fully pursued our way, literally with fear and trembling. Not 

 for one moment was our footing safe. The thick-ribbed ice was 

 broken into every conceivable form and size, and nothing but 

 the absolute necessity of avoiding detention on the islands would 

 have induced us to venture on the treacherous footing; but it 

 was our only hope under heaven — our only means of escape — and 

 upon it, and across it, we pursued our way. 



HOMEWARD BOUND— ICE BREAKING CP. 



To add to the dangers of our situation, a thick mist soon settled 

 upon us ; and there we were, three men, the dogs, and sledge, on 

 the broken ice, in the middle of a bay wide open to the sea. 

 Even the Innuits were more than usually alarmed, and finally be- 

 came so confused that they wandered out of the proper course ; 

 and it was only through my insisting that my compass was the 

 best guide that, after going three miles out of our way, we at last 

 arrived safely on board the ship at 10 37 A.M. on Saturday, the 

 15th of June. 



Thankful was I that we met with no serious accident ; and this 

 was the more extraordinary considering our rate of traveling (we 

 were only twenty hours coming from near Dr. Kane's Channel) 

 and the dangerous character of the ice over which we had 

 come. 



As an instance of what can be accomplished in securing the 

 means of sustaining life in the arctic regions, I will here give a 

 few particulars bearing upon the subject, and belonging to this 

 particular journey. 



