I had noticed in coming up to the igloos a dark object on the northern edge of the floe, and now assumed it to be an empty tin, or cast off clothing on top of an igloo.
When my men came up we fed the dogs, put our gear inside, and began making tea, when Ahngmalokto said he could hear dogs up ahead of us. I turned the tea making over to him, and went out to investigate.
I soon met the Captain coming out to me, and found three parties banked up here, by a broad open lead extending east and west across our course, farther than we could see. I immediately started to investigate the lead and from a pinnacle it looked as if there might be a chance to cross during the night. The northern ice was slowly moving west.
I told Henson to have his men stand watch and watch, and if the chance came to notify everyone so that a quick crossing could be effected. I then went back to my igloo.
After my tea I sent a note to the Captain telling him if there was a chance to cross, to travel with Henson for two days and then return, and a note to Henson to get across the lead at the first possible moment and push on.
Early in the morning of the 27th I went up to see how things were going, and met the Captain coming to report that Henson had started to try and get across to the west, and he was about to follow.
When he got away I climbed a pinnacle to reconnoitre and was not encouraged. The lead was evidently widening. Came down and sent a note to the Captain that if he could not get across to return with every one and I would send him and Clark and their men back for more supplies. I could not afford to feed all these teams and people here during what might be a several days’ wait.
The Captain and Clark got away before noon with seven sledges, and I moved up beside the lead. At night the lead was still widening and the ice slowly moving west. Min. during night –66° F. temperature during day about –60°.
The northern ice continued slowly in motion to the west during the 28th, which was a fine day.
I sent Henson and an Eskimo west with a light sledge to trace the lead. They reported the lead widening in that direction and a branch swinging northwest and southwest.