tly ere
long they were all attacked by scurvy. Notwithstanding this, the
gallant men pushed on, until on 12th May they planted the British flag
in latitude 83 degrees 20 minutes 26 seconds north, leaving only 400
miles between them and the North Pole--many miles farther to the north
than any explorers had hitherto succeeded in gaining. The distance made
good was 73 miles only from the ship, but in order to accomplish it 276
miles had been travelled over. Commander Markham saw clearly that by
proceeding farther he should run the risk of sacrificing the lives of
his people. Thus, with a heavy heart, he determined to go back.

The return journey was attended by even greater difficulties than the
advance. From the time of their start in April to their return in June,
the days had been spent in dragging the sledges over a desert of
ice-hills, which resembled a stormy sea suddenly frozen; half the time
the men facing the sledges, and hauling forward with their backs in the
direction they were going. On getting to within 30 miles of the ship,
so large a number were suffering from scurvy, that Lieutenant Parr
gallantly volunteered to set out alone to obtain relief. Happily he
succeeded, after much difficulty, in arriving, and help was immediately
despatched, the officers and men vieing with each other in dragging
forward the sledges. Unhappily one man had died before assistance had
arrived. Of the rest, only two officers and three men were able to
work; three others painfully struggling on rather than add to the
difficulties of their companions. The remainder, being perfectly
helpless, were carried on the sledges.

Another party sent out by the _Alert_ proceeded to the west under
Lieutenant Aldrich, and, after exploring 220 miles of coast-line, they
also were attacked by scurvy. Not returning at the time appointed,
relief was sent to them. Lieutenant Aldrich and one man alone, out of a
crew of seven, remained at the drag-ropes. Numerous expeditions had
been sent out also by the _Discovery_, one of which proceeded along
Greenland and suffered greatly. When met by a party, under Lieutenant
Rawson, sent out to their assistance, they were found dragging forward
four of their helpless comrades, two at a time, advancing only half a
mile a day. Two of the men died just as Polaris Bay was reached,
opposite Discovery Harbour.

Other exploring expeditions were made in various directions. Captain
Stephenson made two tri