Although this chapter is rather a mournful one, and has a very melancholy termination, I make no apology for having devoted it entirely to our first sledging expedition of the season, believing that my readers will feel both pride and pleasure in hearing of the noble conduct of my two messmates. FOOTNOTES: [1] By a "ditch" is meant a hollow formed between a high snow-drift and a hummock or any projection. Some of these ditches were very steep and precipitous. [2] In previous expeditions parties have left their ships in March; but the March of 75° N. is very different from the March of 82° N. In the former position the sun has been many days longer above the horizon than in 82° N. CHAPTER XXI. THE ROUTINE OF SLEDGE TRAVELLING. "We are well persuaded We carry not a heart with us from hence That grows not in a fair consent with ours; Nor leave not one behind, that doth not wish Success and conquest to attend on us." _Henry V._ On the morning of Monday, the 3rd of April, an unwonted bustle and excitement on board and around the "Alert" betokened that something unusual was taking place. Men in their travelling costumes might have been observed busily engaged in adding the last finishing touches to the already well-packed sledges. Officers, also in travelling attire, were carefully conveying delicate instruments from the ship to the row of sledges drawn up in "line of battle" on the floe, whilst the white ensign flying from the peak bore witness of some important event. The day was indeed one of memorable import, for it was the one that we had all, during the long dark winter, looked forward to as that on which our real work was to commence. It was the day on which we were to start forth with the object of achieving all that was possible with the means at our disposal, in the great and glorious work of increasing the stock of geographical knowledge respecting the Polar regions. No wonder, then, that the scene of our winter quarters presented an animated and unwonted appearance on that bright but intensely cold morning. The sledges, seven in number, on two of which were placed the boats to accompany the northern division, were drawn up in single line, one before the other, according to the seniority of their respective leaders. They were all fully equipped and provisioned, and were "manned" by a force of fifty-three officers and men; a chosen band, eager to emulate the deeds of their predecessors, and willing to risk their lives in bringing to a successful issue the task they had resolved to accomplish. A strict medical examination had been held a day or two previously, and the rather unnecessary question, "Do you feel yourself fit and able in every way to go sledging?" was put to all. It is needless to record the answer!