41
Started to find how badly the most favorable as
well as the most unfavorable compared as to
ice changed with our own position. Wishing
to [unreadable] examine into the state of the
ice to the South. I determined to attempt
to cross the floes and reach the true waters
edge. I took with me the faithful Hand and
our poor foot worn dogs - [unreadable] [unreadable] protected
by canvas shoes. I am to start immediately
after dinner.
Have made a laborious journey of sixty
miles - sleeping just three [unreadable] and that in
the open air. How would one [unreadable] unreadable]
[unreadable] that sort of thing.
The object of the trip was accomplished
but the result such as to prepare me for
a grave step. Which had engaged [?] my [unreadable]
for the [unreadable] [unreadable] but which [unreadable] [unreadable]
journey for its confirmation.
The ice of [unreadable] Sound is without as [unreadable]
a break for twenty eight miles to the [unreadable]. I
found off Refuge (?) Inlet and the
[unreadable] Point - open leads and beyond
them the true open sea but [unreadable] the
great field between [unreadable] and the [unreadable] not
a crack. By running great risks and
nearly drowning my dogs. I crossed the
drifting ice - and sighted clear the
North Water. Since the observation of Mt.
McFeary [?] in May it had [unreadable] advanced
more than four miles. On returning to the vessel I found
by reviewing my Arctic correspondence and
admiralty reports that Penny had [unreadable] in -
the Southward in [unreadable] Straits as early
as June - and that by the 1st July - large
leads approached {unreadable] [unreadable] and at intervals
EN