Although the chance of getting through with the dogs looks hopeless; yet, hopeless though the prospect, I feel that, when disembarrassed of the men, I ought to make one further effort. I have picked my companions, and have given them their orders. They will be Knorr, Jensen, and sailor McDonald,--plucky men all, if I mistake not, and eager for the journey. There are others that are eager to go with me; but, if they have courage and spirit, they have little physical strength; and, besides, more than two persons to one sledge is superfluous. And now when I think of this new trial which I shall make to-morrow, my hopes revive; but when I remember the fruitless struggles of the past few days and think of these hummocks, with peak after peak rising one above the other, and with ridge after ridge in endless succession intersecting each other at all angles and in all directions, I must own that my heart almost fails me and my thoughts incline me to abandon the effort and retreat from what everybody, from Jensen down, says cannot be done, and rely upon the schooner for crossing the Sound. But I have not failed yet! I have fourteen dogs and three picked men left to me; and now, abandoning myself to the protecting care of an all-wise Providence, who has so often led me to success and shielded me from danger, I renew the struggle to-morrow with hope and determination. Away with despondency! [Illustration] CHAPTER XXIX. THE MAIN PARTY SENT BACK.--PLUNGING INTO THE HUMMOCKS AGAIN.--ADVANTAGES OF DOGS.--CAMP IN AN ICE-CAVE.--NURSING THE DOGS.--SNOW-BLINDNESS.--A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.--CAPE HAWKS.--CAPE NAPOLEON.--STORM STAYED.--GRINNELL LAND LOOMING UP.--DISCOVERING A SOUND.--RAVENOUS DISPOSITION OF DOGS.--A CHEERLESS SUPPER.--CAMPING IN THE OPEN AIR.--PROSTRATION OF MEN AND DOGS.--MAKING THE LAND AT LAST. April 28th. I sent the main party back this morning. The separation was quite affecting. They were the worst used-up body of men that I have ever chanced to see. I accompanied them for a short distance, and, with much sadness, parted from them and returned to camp. Upon looking around to see what progress they were making, I observed that they had halted and were facing toward us, evidently designing to give us three parting cheers. But the case was hopeless--there was not a squeak left in them. Soon after the party had gone, we plunged again into the hummocks. We had a terrible ridge to get over, and took only half the cargo, intending to return for the balance. Knorr's sledge broke down, and it was repaired with difficulty. Jensen's sledge tumbled over a declivity which we were descending, and injured a leg of one of the dogs. The poor animal was turned loose, and has hobbled along with us to camp. We made about a mile and a half, and then turned back for the balance of the stores. [Illustration: CROSSING THE HUMMOCKS.