104 
MATURING PLANS. 
prisonment by the ice, the probability, if nothing more, 
that we might never be able to liberate the ship. 
Elsewhere in this journal I have explained by what 
construction of my duty I urged the brig to the north, 
and why I deemed it impossible honorably to abandon 
her after a single season. The same train of reasoning 
now leads me to mature and organize every thing for 
an early departure without her in case she cannot be 
released. My hopes of this release are very feeble; 
and I know that when it doe? occur, if ever, the season 
will, like the last, be too far advanced for me to carry 
my people home. All my experience, carelully re¬ 
viewed from my note-books and confirmed by consul¬ 
tation with Petersen, convinces me that I must start 
early, and govern my boat and sledges by the condition 
of the ice and hunting-grounds. 
“ Whatever of executive ability I have picked up 
during this brain and body-wearing cruise warns me 
against immature preparation or vacillating purposes. 
I must have an exact discipline, a rigid routine, and a 
perfectly-thought-out organization. For the past six 
weeks I have, in the intervals between my duty to the 
sick and the ship, arranged the schedule of our future 
course. Much of it is already under way. My journal 
shows what I have done, but what there is to do is 
appalling. 
“ I state all this to show how much I hazard and 
possibly sacrifice by my intended journey to the north, 
and to explain why I have so little time and mood for 
scientific observation or research. My feelings may be 
