PIONEERING 
and, with Ootah, the most experienced, in the 
lead, we followed in single file. Once started, 
there was no stopping; but push on with the 
utmost care and even pressure. You know 
that we got across, but there were instants 
during the crossing when I had my strongest 
doubts. After crossing the lead, the ice con- 
dition became horrible. Almost at the same 
time, three of the sledges broke, one sledge be- 
ing completely smashed to pieces. We were 
forced to camp and start to work making two 
whole sledges from the wreckage of the three 
broken ones. 
We had barely completed this work when 
the Commander, the Captain, Marvin, Borup, 
and Esquimos came in. I was glad to see 
them all again, especially the smiling face of 
George Borup, whom I had not seen since the 
day he left Cape Columbia. 
We learned that MacMillan had been sent 
back to the ship on the 15th, that the party 
had been delayed on the second day's march 
by a new lead, which widened so rapidly and 
to such an extent that it was feared to be the 
twin sister of the Big Lead farther back. 
March 17: The whole party, with the ex- 
100 
