ON BOARD THE SCHOONER.--REVIEW OF THE JOURNEY.--THE RETURN DOWN KENNEDY CHANNEL.--A SEVERE MARCH IN A SNOW-STORM.--ROTTEN ICE.--EFFECTS OF A GALE.--RETURNING THROUGH THE HUMMOCKS.--THE DOGS BREAKING DOWN.--ADRIFT ON A FLOE AT CAIRN POINT.--THE OPEN WATER COMPELS US TO TAKE TO THE LAND.--REACHING THE SCHOONER.--PROJECTING A CHART.--THE NEW SOUND.--MY NORTHERN DISCOVERIES. Port Foulke, June 3d. Back again on board the schooner after two months' toiling and journeying on the ice. Since I left her deck on the 3d of April, I have traveled not less than 1300 miles, and not less than 1600 since first setting out in March. I am somewhat battered and weather-beaten, but a day or so of rest and civilized comfort, the luxury of a wash and a bed, and of a table covered with clean crockery filled with the best of things that my old Swedish cook can turn out, are wondrously rejuvenating,--potent as the touch of Hebe to the war-worn Iolas. [Sidenote: REVIEW OF THE JOURNEY.] Affairs seem to have gone on well at the schooner. Radcliffe has given me his report, and it is satisfactory. McCormick has presented a full history of events since leaving me among the hummocks; but I refrain now from recording them until I have set down some of the leading incidents of my journey, while they are yet fresh in my mind. Besides, McCormick tells me that he is unable to repair the schooner that she may be ice-worthy; and, as I am unwilling to accept this conclusion without a further examination than I have yet been able to make, I postpone any further allusion to the matter. To confess the truth, the last days of the homeward journey used us all up pretty thoroughly; and, although the confined atmosphere of the cabin is oppressive to me after so long an exposure in the open air, yet the doctor (which is my _doppelganger_) warns me to keep to this lounge for a day or so. I am not, however, forbidden to write. I have returned well satisfied that Kennedy Channel is navigable; and it remains only to be proven whether Smith Sound will open sufficiently to permit a passage through. With steam, I should have no doubt whatever of my ability to force it; with sails, of course, the effort is filled with greater uncertainty; and yet, I think, the chances are with me. I am fully convinced that a route to the Pole,--a route, certainly, not wholly unobstructed by ice, yet free enough at least for steam navigation, is open every summer from Cape Frazer; and if I can pull through to that point, then I shall have accomplished the full measure of my desires. In truth, this is the real difficulty. My views of the whole matter will be set down here on the spot as opportunity offers from day to day. To-morrow, I hope to be sufficiently recovered from the fatigues of the journey to begin the discussion of my materials, and the projection of my chart.