488 



AECTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



water, would be much more endurable than with such a wind, 

 charged with the temperature it was. We took turns in trotting 

 along beside the sledge, more for the object of keeping ourselves 

 from freezing than with the view of easing the dogs of our addi- 

 tional weight. By the aid of these seven dogs, and the broad run- 

 ners of this sledge of Ebierbing's, we were enabled in two hours 

 to reach the ultimatum of our attempt on Friday. After getting 

 half a mile beyond said point we really found good passable trav- 

 eling, and, by keeping close inshore, as far as our course would 

 admit of it, we found much fair ice, the tide having overflowed 

 the snow and changed it to ice. 



"As we came within the distance of half a mile of the plains, I 

 kept a constant look-out to see if I could discover some human 

 figure out watching our approach. I may here remark, as an in- 

 cident of this journey, that so cutting was the cold wind that it 

 froze the water of the eyes, locking them up in ice, so that it was 

 only by vigilance and effort that I could keep myself in seeing 

 order. Many a lump of ice that I was forced to withdraw from 

 my eyes showed specimens of eyelashes embalmed in crystal. As 

 I said, I kept as good a look-out as I could, hoping that our ap- 

 proach might be welcomed by the one we sought to snatch from 

 her desolate imprisonment. The ascent from the sea-ice to the 

 plains was so gradual that I knew not when we were on the one 

 or the other. I was also in doubt about our having made the 

 correct landing, for the snow had covered up all former sledge 

 and dog markings ; but, on watching the motions of our noble, 

 vigilant leader, I felt satisfied that his instinct was proving true — 

 that he was leading us, by marks imperceptible to human eye, to 

 the point we so impatiently sought to reach. This confidence we 

 soon found not misplaced, for ahead of us we perceived various 

 articles left by the Innuits who were recently living there stick- 

 ing up above the snow. The dogs increased their speed, as is 

 usual with them on nearing an inhabited place, and soon placed 

 us alongside where the igloos had been. But where were the 

 three igloos that I had visited Thursday, January 30th, a little less 

 than four weeks ago ? Not one to be seen ! I took my snow- 

 knife from the sledge, and, after my companion had finished his 

 work of whipping down the dogs to a prostrate position, I bade 

 him follow me. 



"Around and around we walked, searching for the igloos. Sure 

 was I that we were at the point I had struggled to reach. Could 



