APPENDIX NO. Y. 
339 
stores, which we covered with the largest stones we could find, to 
prevent the animals from attacking our meat. This was laborious 
work, as the stones had to be carried some distance up the hill. After 
stopping up every crevice a fox could work through, we covered it with 
loose stones and moss. While we were employed in building the cache, 
Mr. McGary was engaged in making a stew of one of the foxes we had 
shot, in which operation he froze his finger severely. We built the 
cairn on a point of rock thirty paces E.JS. from the cache, and at 
the same distance from the point of a remarkable rock on the highest 
part of the island, bearing S. by W.jrW. There were two small islands 
about two thousand paces from the cache, the larger bearing E. by 
N. }N., and the smaller E.N.E. Owing to the severity of the cold, I 
Avas unable to take sextant-bearings of these points; but, from the situa¬ 
tion of the island and positions of the cache and cairn, as well as the 
fixed points, it could readily be found. As it was nearly night by the 
time we had finished our cache, we concluded to encamp on the island. 
This was the coldest day we had yet experienced. 
October 11, Tuesday.—After a cold and sleepless night, we set out 
very early, and travelled fast, in order to reach the cache where we had 
left half a bag of bread. We arrived there after a hard day’s travel of 
about twenty-five miles. 
October 12, Wednesday.—Started very early this morning, and 
travelled fast, stopping at noon only, to melt snow, as we were all very 
thirsty. Made about fifteen miles this day. 
October 13, Thursday.—Set out early, and walked fast, in order to 
gain a stream of water we had passed on our outward journey. We 
reached it about 10 A.M., but found it frozen solid. We then took 
some moss, and melted enough for a drink. We hurried on, hoping to 
meet Cape Frederick before nightfall; but in about an hour we came to 
an open crack, which checked our progress for the time, as we tried in 
vain to get on the land-ice. We waited until after dark; but, as the 
crack did not close, we pitched our tent. Just then a white fox came 
in sight, which was soon shot, making the fifth since leaving the 
vessel. The day closed with a high wind and a snow-storm. We 
made about twelve miles. 
October 14, Friday.—Rose this morning at peep of day, crossed the 
crack, which was now closed, and pushed on for Cape Frederick. We 
were arrested by cracks and bay-ice evciy half mile; and, as this was 
all solid floe when we passed it in going out, there mufct have been a 
strong gale here since then. Opposite Sunny Gorge we came to an 
open crack, which delayed us about half an hour; but, finding a loose 
