18 
PLAN OF JOURNEY. 
some intestines that were not given to the dogs. We 
have about three days’ allowance; thin chips of raw 
frozen meat, not exceeding four ounces in weight for 
each man per diem. Our poor fellows eat it with zest; 
but it is lamentably little. 
“Although I was unsuccessful in my last attempt to 
reach the huts with the dogs, I am far from sure that 
with a proper equipment it could not be managed by 
walking. The thought weighs upon me. A foot-travel 
does not seem to have occurred to my comrades; and 
at first sight the idea of making for a point seventy- 
five miles by the shortest line from our brig, with this 
awfully cold darkness on, is gloomy enough. 
“But I propose walking at first only as far as the 
broken hut at Anoatok, (the ‘wind-loved spot,’) and 
giving our poor dogs a chance of refreshing there. 
After this, Hans and myself will force them forward as 
far as we can, with nothing but our sleeping-gear, and 
spend the second night wherever they happen to break 
down. After that, we can manage the rest of the 
journey without any luggage but our personal clothing. 
“It seems hard to sacrifice the dogs, not to speak of 
the rest of the party; but the necessity is too palpable 
and urgent. As we are now, a very few deaths would 
break us up entirely. Still, the emergency would not 
move me if I did not feel, after careful, painful thought, 
that the thing can be accomplished. If by the blessing 
of the Great Ruler it should prove successful, the re¬ 
sult will secure the safety of all hands. No one knows 
as yet of my intention except Hans himself. I am 
