ch. xxix] Discovery of the Fate of Franklin 275 
winter journey with temperature -33 0 to -48 0 Fahr., in- 
tending to build snow huts instead of taking a tent ; but it 
took two hours to build them. His object was to fall in 
with Eskimos and obtain information, which he did ; nearly 
all having some plunder from the Erebus or Terror. One 
of them stated that a ship had been crushed by the ice out 
at sea. The journey of 26 days in the depth of winter 
embraced 360 miles and completed the discovery of the 
coast line of North America. It also revealed the only 
north-west passage for ships between Boothia and King 
William Island. 
iVpril 2nd was the appointed day for starting on the 
long journeys. Petersen was to drive M' Clint ock's dog 
sledge. M'Clintock and Hobson travelled together as far 
as Cape Victoria, when the latter crossed to Cape Felix, 
M'Clintock pressing onwards to the Great Fish River. On 
meeting his Eskimo friends again he was told — what was 
concealed before — that a second ship had been driven on 
shore. Many more relics were seen in their possession. 
Hobson landed at Cape Felix on King William Island 
and found the remains of an encampment which had been 
hastily abandoned, for tents and clothes were left behind. 
Marching onwards he came to the large cairn with a 
quantity of gear strewn round it, and a tin cylinder 
containing the famous document written by Fitzjames, 
which announced the fate of Franklin and the expedition. 
Hobson, stricken with scurvy, felt unable to carry out the 
rest of his instructions, but two of his men went on and 
discovered a large boat. The return journey was then 
commenced and the Fox was reached on June 14th after 
an absence of 74 days. Latterly Hobson had to be carried 
on the sledge. He left in a cairn for M'Clintock a report 
and lists of all the articles seen. 
M'Clintock continued his advance to the south, 
obtaining from the natives several spoons and articles 
of plate belonging to officers, and other relics. They said 
that many white men had dropped by the way as they 
marched, and that some had been buried and others not. 
On the 15th May M'Clintock reached Montreal Island. 
It was thoroughly searched, but nothing of importance 
was found. On the 24th M'Clintock again crossed the 
frozen sea to King William Island and followed the shore 
18—2 
