Hunting and exploring excursions were sent out from the _Vega_ with varying success; as the seasons advanced the natives were threatened with the usual scarcity of food, which was largely relieved by the generosity of the Europeans. A most careful and thorough study was made of these natives, their characteristics, mode of life, manners, speech, and customs. [Sidenote: _RETURN OF THE “VEGA”_] On July 18, the _Vega_ was liberated from the ice, after having been imprisoned two hundred and ninety-four days. After a lapse of three hundred and twenty-six years, when Sir Hugh Willoughby made the first attempt at a northeast passage, the _Vega_ sailed through Behring Strait, July 20, 1879, being the first vessel to penetrate by the north from one of the great world oceans to another. The _Vega_ anchored at Yokohama on the evening of the 2d of September. “On our arrival off Yokohama,” writes Nordenskjöld, “we were all in good health and the _Vega_ in excellent condition, though, after the long voyage, in want of some minor repair, of docking, and possibly of coppering. Naturally among thirty men some mild attacks of illness could not be avoided in the course of a year, but no disease had been generally prevalent, and our state of health had constantly been excellent. Of scurvy we had not seen a trace.” From Yokohama the news of the _Vega’s_ success was telegraphed throughout the world, and the homeward journey of the expedition, _via_ Hong Kong, Singapore, Suez, Naples, Lisbon, Copenhagen, to Stockholm was one of triumphant progress; each country trying to outdo the others in giving a royal welcome to the gallant explorers. The _Vega_ reached Stockholm April 24, 1880, after a journey of twenty-two thousand one hundred eighty-nine miles. CHAPTER XVII British expedition of 1875.—The _Alert_ and _Discovery_.—Captain George S. Nares, F. R. S., Albert H. Markham, F. R. G. S.—Two voyages of the _Pandora_, 1875-1876.—Schwatka’s search for the Franklin records, 1878-1879. [Illustration: CAPTAIN G. S. NARES, F. R. S. _By permission of The Illustrated London News._] [Sidenote: _CAPTAIN GEORGE S. NARES, F. R. S._] The British north polar expedition of 1875 comprised the _Alert_, a seventeen-gun sloop, and the _Discovery_, originally a Dundee whaler. Under the supervision of the Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard at Portsmouth (Sir Leopold M’Clintock) these ships were completely overhauled, reënforced, and admirably outfitted for the service expected of them. Each vessel was supplied with nine boats of various sizes, especially constructed for service in Arctic waters. Great care was exercised in selection of officers and men; and their social, moral, and physical qualifications were strictly inquired into. To Captain George S. Nares, F. R. S., was intrusted the command of the expedition, and Commander Albert H. Markham was placed second in command. [Illustration: COMMANDER A. H. MARKHAM