CHAPTER XIX.

The northern party—A narrow escape, and a great discovery—Esquimaua
again, and a joyful surprise.

T is interesting to meditate, sometimes, on the
deviousness of the paths by which men are led
in earthly affairs—even when the starting-point and
the object of pursuit are the same. The two parties
which left the Dolphim had for their object the pro-
curing of fresh food. The one went south and the
other north; but their field was the same—the sur-
face of the frozen sea and the margin of the ice-girt
shore. Yet how different their experiences and re-
sults were the sequel will show.

As we have already said, the northern party was
in command of Bolton, the first mate, and consisted
of ten men, among whom were our hero, Fred, Peter
Grim, O’Riley, and Meetuck, with the whole team of
dogs and the large sledge.

Being fine weather when they set out, they travelled
rapidly, making twenty miles, as near as they could
calculate, in the first six hours. The dogs pulled
famously, and the men stepped out well at first,
being cheered and invigorated mentally by the pros-