hood of his home in South
Greenland.

The fact of the "North Star" having wintered last year in Wolstenholme
Sound, or "Petowack," was elicited, and that the natives had been on
board of her. The "Assistance" and "Intrepid," therefore, remained to
visit that neighbourhood, whilst we proceeded to the south shore of
Lancaster Sound, touching, as had been pre-arranged, at Pond's Bay and
Cape Possession.

Steaming along the Crimson Cliffs for a second time, we left the "Lady
Franklin" and "Sophia," in a stark calm, to do their best. Fewer ships,
the faster progress; and heartily did all cheer when, at midnight, we
turned to the N.W., leaving the second division to do their work in
Wolstenholme Sound. So ended the memorable 14th of August: it will be,
doubtless, remembered by many with far from pleasant feelings; and some
who have been "gulled" in England may thank Mr. Petersen that a
carrier-pigeon freighted with a cock-and-bull story of blood, fire,
wreck, and murder, was not despatched on that memorable day.

[Headnote: _THE WEST WATER._]

The 15th we struck westward, that is, the "Pioneer," with "Resolute"
and "Prince Albert" in tow. After four hours of very intricate
navigation, called "reeving through the pack," we reached the West
Water,--a wide ocean of water without one piece of floe-ice, and very
few icebergs. The change was wonderful--incredible. Here was nothing
but water; and we were almost within sight, as we steered to the S.W.,
of the spot where, for forty-seven days, we had had nothing but ice!
ice! ice! Let us hurry on. The West Water (as usual with the water at
this season of the year) was covered with fog: in it we steered. The
"Resolute," as a capital joke, in return for the long weary miles we
had towed her, set, on one occasion, all studsails, and gave us a tow
for four hours. When off the mouth of Lancaster Sound, the "Prince
Albert" was cast off; and she departed to carry out, as I then thought,
a part of the grand scheme of land travelling next year, into which it
became almost daily apparent the search for Franklin would resolve
itself. Already had night commenced; next came winter.

Touching at Pond's Bay was made a longer proceeding than was ever
calculated upon, for a succession of thick fogs and strong gales
prevented the "Pioneer" running into the bay, or ascertaining whether
cairns or other marks had been erected on the coast.

The 21st of August came before we had a change of weather: