Much had to be done to get the ship ready for sea; but, for some time, only a few officers and _three_ men could be employed in any work connected with these preparations, the remainder being engaged entirely with their duties to the sick. The principal work that had to be done, before the ice broke up round the ship, was to get on board and stow away all our powder, besides the provisions and stores that had been landed before the winter. The housing had long been taken down, and the upper deck had been partially cleared of snow, so that daylight was once more admitted through the skylights and illuminators. It is a curious fact connected with those who were for a long period absent from their ship, that the hair on their faces became perfectly bleached, until in fact it was nearly white. The loss of colour was gradual, and, although noticed, was never alluded to, each one imagining that his companion's hair was turning grey from the effects of hardship and anxiety! It was only after our return to the ship that those possessing beards and moustaches discovered the change that had occurred. The colour returned in the same gradual manner that it had disappeared. We all suffered a loss of hair from the head; but this may easily be attributed to our sealskin caps, and other head-dresses, which were constantly worn. After the long use of moccasins, it took us some time to get accustomed to leather boots, which we were obliged to wear on account of the sludgy state of the surface of the floes and the land. With a temperature some degrees below freezing point, nothing is more comfortable or better suited for travelling over the pack than a good pair of moccasins. The return of the sledge travellers was celebrated, on the 29th of June, by the best dinner we could afford to put on the table. As our printing-press had long been dismantled, a written _menu_ was given to myself and Aldrich as the leaders of the two extended sledge parties. A beautiful sketch of the highest position reached was drawn by Moss, the following being as near as possible a fac-simile:-- [Illustration: "Marco Polo." Lat. 83° 20´ 26´´ N.] MENU. Potage olla Podrida. Petits Pâtes d'Homards. Fricassée de Pégouse et Sardines. Rognons aux Champignons saucés dans Attrapez-en-haut. Rissoles à la Tomato. Mâchoire de Boeuf. Jambon au Champagne. Petits Pois. Carottes. Ognons. Pommes de Terre. Tourte de Pêches. Compote de Blancmange et Rhubarbe Fou. Pouding en Marmelade. Pains rôtis aux Anchois. Fromage. Liqueurs. Dessert. Café noir. H.M.S. "Alert." _29th June, 1876._ On the reverse side of the bill of fare were the following verses composed by Pullen for the occasion. It is needless to add that they were not only appreciated, but that they found a response in every breast:--