The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-10-14

lay full length in the boat, per-
fectly silent, with lifeless eye and
| folded arms, with Duke at his
feet. Clawbonny frequently ad-
! dressed him, but could get no re-
ply. t
On the 18th they sighted, Alta.
mont harbor, but as the sea was
open all along the coast, they de-
termined to go around to Victoria
bay by water, instead Of crossing
New America In sledge.
The voyage was easy and rapid.
In week they accomplished what
had taken fortnight inthe
sledge, and on the 23rd they cast
anchor in Victoria bay.
AS soon as the sloop was made
fast, they all FASTENED to FIT. Prov.
idence. But what a scene of dew
astation met their eyes! Doctors
house, stores, powder magazine,
Notifications, all had emelted
away, and the provisions had been
ransacked by devouring animals.
The navigators had almost come
to the end of their supplies, and
had been reckoning on replenish-
ing their stores at Fort Providence.
The impossibility of wintering
there now was evident, and they
decided to get to Baffins bay by
the shortest route.
1--WE have no alternative" said
Clawbonny. ''Baffins bay is not
more than 600 miles distant. We
can sail as long as there is water
enough under our sloop, and get
to Jones sound, and then on to
the Danish settlements"
Yes" said Altamont; "let us
collect what food remains, and be
off at once"
After a thorough search, few
! cases of pemmican were found
scattered here and there, and two
, barrels of preserved meat, alto
| gether enough for six weeks, and
good supply of powder. 1t was
soon collected and brought on
board, and the remainder of the
day was employed in calking the
sloop and putting her in good
trim.
Next morning they put out once
more to sea. The voyage present
ed no great difficulties, the drift
ice being easily avoided but still
the doctor thought it advisable,
in case of possible delays, to limit
the rations to one half. This was
no great hardship, as there was
not much work for anyone to do,
and all were in perfect health.
Besides, they found a little
shooting. and brought down
ducks and geese and guillemots,
or sea turtledoves. Water they
were able to supply themselves
with in abundance, from the
| fresh water icebergs they con-
stantly fell in with, as they kept
near the coast, not daring to ven
ture out in the open sea in so frall
a bark.
At that time of the year, the
thermometer was already con-
stantly below freezing point. The
frequent rains changed to snow,
and the weather became gloomy.
Each day the sun dipped lower
below the horizon, and on the
30th, for a few minutes, he was
out of sight altogether.
However. the little sloop sailed
steadily on without stopping an
instant. They knew what fatigues
and obstacles a land journey in
volved, if they should be forced to
| adopt it, and no time was to be
lost, for soon the open water
would harden to firm ground. AL
ready the young ice had begun to
form. In these high ATTITUDES
there is neither spring nor au-
tumn; winter follows close on the
heels of summer.
On the 31st the first stars glim-
mered overhead, and from that
time forwards there was continual
fog, which considerably impeded
navigation.
(Continued)