Washington telegraph., 1855-12-12

expeditions began to be fitted out to ex-
plore the country about. These were made
By the aid of dogs and sleds One Of those
parties examined large glacier about so
miles distant. The extremity of this ela-
cier was the most norlherly limit of the
field Of search. Beyond this glacier the
land altered its trend. it having trended
fren the vicinity OF Stafford's head about
east. nearer east than north Beyond this
it trended again to the north, and. when
the whole bay Was frozen W, from a short
distance north Of this glacier was discover
ed channel Of open water running north
and south. In aud along this stream were
innumerable cetacia and birds. The prin-
cipal food of the travellers over the ice was
procured By the rife. 1t consisted almost
exclusively of the penimiean-
With reference to the channel above de-
scribed. it is for those conversant with the
geographical theories and principles to de-
te-Tnine whether or net it is an indication
of any highway OF water beyond, or wheih-
er it is one of those tide streams which
sometimes break the frozen surface Of a
northern estuary. known to TIE Danes as
race Whatever this Is. one thing i certain;
If il be the basis of line OF coast present
ing something interchangeable, something fix
ed--whether it be water or ice ON which to
travel-that feature alone makes this appa-
rently tie most eligible read to the north
pole.
Early in tie spring the Newfoundland
dogs were exceedingly useful in carrying
burdens; they were indeed invaluable for
short excursions. Six Of them would draw
burden varying from FIVE hundred to
eight hundred pounds at a dog tIo; Of four
nniles an hour, They would travel thirty
miles day for several days in succession
j hese dogs, however, were not adapted for
this climate, AID the first winter only two
Of them survived. Most Of them died in
oonyulzions. apparently suffering from lock
jaw.
In the lp9n,h Of March tbe vessel was
unexpectedly visited BY party Of Esqui-
Inaux. They came In slcdges. by fine
large docs. evidently Of a very superior
breed. These dogs would make a journey
of sixty miles day for several weeks, car
rying a single man. and 10 some instances
two men behind them. The sledges were
-drads of bones laShed together with sirip.ss
them were made OF wood. The Esquimaux
are represented as grossly filthy in their
habits and loose in their morals, live as
much on raw as on cooked meat. and eat
most voraciouS.y But the race IS fast pass
ing away, and it is supposed there are not
more than one hundred Of them between
Cape York and Littlcton Island. a distance
Of five or six hundred miles
In July. as the prospect OF getting ont OF
the ice seemed TO be very distaut DIR. Kane
planned party Of which be took tue COM
iland, to Beecby Island. to communicate
with the English. He met the ice eff Cape
Parry-evidenily the Upale and Wals;en-
holm Sound pack-at Jones Sound 1t
was impossible TO penetrate this, and consc-
qlently nothing remained Lut to make pre-
para'ions for passing the second winter "a
comfortably as possible. The outfit OF the
expedition had contemplated stay Of only
ID months. and the provisions remaining
were not of a character siaited to the eli
mate Scurvy prevailed considerably; bat
by the uniiring as~iduity of DIR. Kane, this
was so far checked that no lives were lost
By 1t. although several men were severely
affected BY this time the supply of coal
was entirely exhausted. They were oblig-
ed TO cut away the bulwarks and all the
spare spars OF the ship-indeed. everything
which could be cut away aud. still leave
Them in seaworlhy condiiiOn-in order TO
keep up their small Ere.
When the crepusculum began to sho,:
the tints Of the sunlight in the spring. they
began to look forward to all that remained
to 'hcm-a journey to the nearest civiliza-
ton, Upernayik. The distance. iucluiing
detOurs was at least thousand miles This
could only be Travelled by conveying boats
on sleGgcs TO the nearest water, and then
placing the sledges on the boats and proceed
ing by water until the ice compelled them
to reverse the order again The winter
was an extremely cold one. Sixty degrees
below zero we're frequently recorded. and
the monthly averages were Sd and 10 de-
grees below zero. The ice showed TO pros
peci of breaking up. Careful surveys were
made as late as the first of Nav, when the
water was at least 20 OF so miles from the
ship 1t being beyond question that the.
ship must remain there, the boats were goi
under weigh. and the greatest speed used ii
fitting them up
As soon as TIE boats we're ready. the pro-
visions were placed in them, waterproof
articles being 90; up as vel! as their shabby
resources allowed. The bread was pounded
into powder. packed into canvass bags, and
laid down TO FIJI up the space between the
tbwarts Of the boat. just room enough re-
manning for the legs of the oarsinen--
there were three boats. one Of which ithe
Diagyl was SOON broken up for fuel. Two
buffalo robes, few blankets and tarpau..in
composed the sleeping accommodations of
the party. They had so miles to 90 upon
the ica hut as the PARTY were weak. bosh in