496 his entire party returned to the ship, having encountered impassable leads near the Petowik Glacier. They cached their baggage (i.e. Captain Comer's chest and box) and the boxes of supplies on shore. This is a great disappointment to us all, on account of the consequent delay in the manufacture of our clothing for the southern trip; also on account of the drain on the ship's food. Yesterday Dr. Heintz examined me as carefully as he could by ear and questioning and stated that in his opinion I was physically qualified to take the trip across Melville Bay provided that I was outfitted properly and undertook no severe physical exertion. He also said that he desired me to have the physician at Uper- niviik examine me and pass upon the advisability of my continuing the journey by sledge. This