PIONEERING 
ception of Professor Marvin and his detach- 
ment, remained in camp. Marvin v^as sent 
ahead to plot a route for the next marches of 
the column, and the party in camp busied itself 
in the general work of repairing sledges and 
equipment. 
The morning of the 18th found the main 
column ready to start, and start it did, in spite 
of the dreary outlook due to the condition of 
the weather and of the ice. Thermometer 40° 
below zero, and the loose ice to our right and 
in front distinctly in motion, but fortunately 
moving to the northward. A heavy wind of 
the force of a gale was at our backs, and for 
the first three miles our progress was slow. 
The hummocks of ice in wild disarrangement, 
and so difficult to cross that repeatedly the 
sledges were overturned; and one sledge was 
broken so badly that a halt had to be made to 
repair it. While repairing the sledge, our 
midday lunch of crackers was eaten. The 
dogs were not fed anything, experience having 
taught us that dogs will work better with hope 
for a reward in the future than when it is past. 
All that day the air was tliick with haze and 
frost and we felt the cold even more than 
lOX 
