After crossing a number of small lakes, we arrived at the steep shores
of Halkett Inlet about 11 o'clock, having been eight hours in walking as
many miles. We crossed the inlet, and as it had now begun to blow a
fresh breeze we stopped at a small bay, well sheltered, to take some
rest, and obtain a meridian observation of the sun. The latitude was 69°
16' 44" N., variation of the compass 76° 45' W. We were so fortunate as
to find here some heather by scraping away the snow, and we enjoyed the
luxury of a cup of chocolate, which refreshed us very much.
We now resumed our march, and the walking being good and the day fine we
made rapid progress, although somewhat detained by the lameness and
blindness of Flett, who stumbled at every inequality of the ground, and
received some severe falls. After advancing two miles we came opposite
to a clear opening to the north-eastward, in which nothing but rough ice
could be seen. This was evidently the termination of the continent in
this direction. At 4 P.M. we arrived at our snow hut in the small bay
between the Twins. It was not my intention to remain here all night, but
the lameness of our companion prevented us from continuing our journey.
Whilst I went to search for fuel, Corrigal enlarged our snow house. I
found a little fuel, with which we contrived to thaw as much snow as
gave each of us nearly half-a-pint of water. The remainder of our
provisions, amounting to a few ounces of pemmican each, was fairly
divided, and having eaten part of this we betook ourselves to rest.
21st.--Having passed a far from pleasant night, and used the last of our
alcohol to procure some water as a diluent for our not very plentiful
breakfast, we started at a little before 2 A.M. There was a strong
breeze from N.W. with thick drift occasionally, and a temperature of
-20°, but the wind being on our backs it was rather an advantage than
otherwise. We directed our course straight for the island on which we
had left the rest of the party, and which could be seen at intervals
when the snow drift cleared away.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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