SLEDGING 
leave the ship at seven-thirty a. m., but a blind- 
ing gale delayed our start until nine a. m. 
Two parties have left for Columbia : Professor 
MacMillan, three boys, four sledges, and 
twenty-four dogs ; and my party of three boys 
and the same outfit. Each sledge is loaded 
with about two hundred and fifty pounds of 
provisions, consisting of pemmican, biscuits, 
tea, and alcohol. The Arctic night still holds 
sway, but to-day at noon, far to the south, a 
thin band of twihght shows, giving promise 
of the return of the sun, and every day now 
will increase in light. Heavy going to Por- 
ter Bay, where we are to spend the night, and 
as soon as rested start to work soldering up 
the thirty-six leaky alcohol tins left there by 
George Borup last week. Professor MacMil- 
lan and his party have not shown up yet. They 
dropped behind at Cape Bichardson and we 
are keeping a watch for them. Snow still 
drifting and the wind howling hke old times. 
Have had our evening meal of travel-rations; 
pemmican, biscuits, and tea and condensed 
milk, which was eaten with a relish. Two 
meals a day now, and big work between meals. 
No sign of Professor MacMillan and his crew, 
55 
