236 
MCGARY’S return. 
“ But the pleasantest feature of his journey was the 
disclosure of open water, extending up in a sort of 
tongue, with a trend of north by east to within two 
miles of Refuge Harbor, and there widening as it ex¬ 
panded to the south and west. 
“ Indeed, some circumstances which he reports seem 
to point to the existence of a north water all the year 
round; and the frequent water-skies, fogs, &c., that we 
have seen to the southwest during the winter, go to 
confirm the fact. The breaking up of the Smith Strait’s 
ice commences much earlier than this; but as yet it 
has not extended farther than Littleton Island, where 
I should have wintered if my fall journey had not 
pointed to the policy of remaining here. The open 
water undoubtedly has been the cause of the retreat of 
the Esquimaux. Their sledge-tracks have been seen 
all along the land-foot; but, except a snow house at 
Esquimaux Point, we have met nothing which to the 
uninitiated traveller would indicate that they had 
rested upon this desert coast. 
“As soon as I had recovered enough to be aware of 
my failure, I began to devise means for remedying it. 
But I found the resources of the party shattered. 
Pierre had died but a week before, and his death ex¬ 
erted an unfavorable influence. There were only three 
men able to do duty. Of the officers, Wilson, Brooks, 
Sontag, and Petersen were knocked up. There was no 
one except Sontag, Hayes, or myself, who was qualified 
to conduct a survey; and, of us three, Dr. Hayes was 
the only one on his feet. 
I 
