314 
TIIE SCHEME. 
across some passing vessel of tlie squadron, and make 
known our whereabouts and wants; or, failing these, 
we will try and coast it along to Wellington Channel. 
“A depot of provisions and a seaworthy craft large 
enough to carry us,—if I had these, every thing would 
be right. Even Sir John Eoss’s launch, the Little 
Mary, that he left at Union Bay, would serve our 
purpose. If I had her, I could make a southern 
passage after the fall tides. The great enemy of that 
season is the young shore-ice, that would cut through 
our frail boats like a saw. Or, if we can only renew 
our stock of provisions for the winter, we may await 
the chances of next year. 
“I know it is a hazardous venture, but it is a neces¬ 
sary one, and under the circumstances an incumbent 
duty. I should have been- glad, for some reasons, if the 
command of such an attempt could have been delegated 
to a subordinate; but I feel that I have no right to 
devolve this risk upon another, and I am, besides, the 
only one possessed of the necessary local knowledge of 
Lancaster Sound and its ice-movements. 
“As a prelude to this solemn undertaking, I met my 
officers in the evening, and showed them my ice-charts; 
explaining, what I found needed little explanation, the 
prospect immediately before us. I then discussed the 
probable changes, and, giving them my personal opi¬ 
nion that the brig might after all be liberated at a late 
date, I announced my project. I will not say how 
gratified I was with the manner in which they received 
it. It struck me that there was a sense of personal 
