Our reception there and afterwards is a matter of history. Suffice it to say that our exertions received the approbation of our country and of our brother officers, and that the Lords of the Admiralty were pleased to express their satisfaction at the manner in which the expedition had been conducted by our leader, as well as at the way in which the work had been carried out by his subordinates. My story has now come to an end. My aim has been to describe our daily life during a very eventful service. I have quoted largely from my journal, and in some instances I have thought it best to copy from it _verbatim_. Nothing is further from my thoughts than to claim for this narrative any literary merit whatever. I simply wish it to be regarded as a plain but accurate statement of facts--an unpretending account of the cruise of one of the ships of the late expedition--by one of its members. In launching my little book upon the ocean of literature, I venture to quote the words of brave old Master Beste, who, being engaged in compiling a record of another Arctic expedition, humbly apologizes, as I do, for submitting his work to the public:--"And herein I humbly pray pardon, for my rude order of writing, which proceedeth from the barren brayne of a souldier and one professing armes, who desireth rather to be wel thought of with your honour for his well meaning than for anye hys cunning writing at all." [Illustration: _FAREWELL!_] INDEX. Admiralty, Lords of, visit to the Polar ships, 9; satisfaction at the results of the expedition, 368. Admiralty Inlet, remains of Eskimos on shores of, 68. Albert Head, 65. Aldebaran, erratic conduct of, 200. Aldrich, Lieut. Pelham, R.N., skill in managing a kayak, 30; starts on a reconnoitring expedition in the autumn, 128; second autumn journey with dog-sledge, 133; starts on a third autumn journey, 136, 137; ascends a hill near Cape Joseph Henry, 147; glees by, 169, 216; his lecture on meteorology, 169; orchestra for the Royal Arctic Theatre, 171, 175, 214; plays the harmonium at church, 187; one of his dogs lost, 190; plays at Christmas, 194, 195; commands the extended party to the west, 241; anxiety for his safety, 331; return, 332. Ale, prepared specially for the expedition, 17. (_See_ Beer.)