230 THE WORLD OF ICE.

One party, consisting of ten men, under Bolton, the
first mate, was to take the largest sledge, and the
whole team of dogs, on which, with twelve days’ pro-
visions and their sleeping-bags, they were to proceed
northward along the coast as far as possible; and, in
the event of being unsuccessful, they were to turn
homeward on the eighth day, and make the best of
their way back on short allowance.

The other party, consisting of fifteen men, under
Saunders, the second mate, was to set off to the south-
ward on foot, dragging a smaller sledge behind them,
and endeavour to find the Esquimaux, who, it was
supposed, could not be far off, and would probably
have fresh meat in their camp.

It was a clear, cold, and beautiful star-leht day
when the two parties started simultancously on their
separate journeys. The coruscations of the aurora
were more than usually vivid, and the snow eave forth
that sharp, dry, crunching sound, under the heels of
the men as they moved about, that denotes intense frost.

«Mind that you hug the land, Mr. Bolton,” said the
captain at parting; “don’t get farther out on the
floes than you can help. To meet with a gale on the
ice is no joke in these latitudes.”

The first mate promised obedience; and the second
mate having been also cautioned to hug the land, and
not to use their small supply of spirits for any other
purpose than that of lighting the lamp, except in
cases of the most urgent need, they set off with three
hearty cheers, which were returned by Captain Guy