182 
THE ROUTINE. 
trate our entire force upon one sledge at a time. On 
the other hand, however, it was important to the 
efficiency of our organization that matters of cooking, 
sleeping, baggage, and rations, should be regulated by 
separate messes. 
The routine I established was the most precise:— 
Daily pi'ayers both morning and evening, all hands 
gathering round in a circle and standing uncovered 
during the short exercise; regulated hours; fixed 
duties and positions at the track-lines and on the halt; 
the cooking to be taken by turns, the captains of the 
boats alone being excused. The charge ot the log was 
confided to Dr. Hayes, and the running survey to Mr. 
Sontag. Though little could be expected from either 
of these gentlemen at this time, I deemed it best to 
keep up the appearance of ordinary voyaging; and 
after we left the first ices of Smith s . Straits I was 
indebted to them for valuable results. The thermo¬ 
meter was observed every three hours. 
To my faithful friend and first officer, boatswain 
Brooks, I assigned the command of the boats and 
sledges. I knew how well he was fitted for it; and 
when forced, as I was afterward during the descent, to 
be in constant motion between the sick-station, the 
Esquimaux settlements, and the deserted brig, I felt 
safe in the assurance of his tried fidelity and indomi¬ 
table resolution. The party under him was mar¬ 
shalled at the rue-raddies as a single gang; but the 
messes were arranged with reference to the two whale- 
