stefansson-wrangel-09-25-007-014

14

days' provisions - fifteen days' would have been plenty; they
could then have traveled less laboriously, faster and without
fear of breaking the sledge.

January 12, after traveling about thirty miles
(three days on the road and two in camp), we have the first
mention of the trouble that was to prove serious. Knight was
weak with illness. "I am nearly all in. I hate to admit this,
but I am sure I can't help it. My scurvey has been coming back
for the last month or two, although I have said nothing to
any one about it except Crawford. When we started, I was in
hopes of fairly good going and a chance to get fresh meat, which
is a cure for scurvy, but I find that my legs go back on me in
this rough ice where I am forced to get in harness to help the
dogs and to prevent the sled upsetting, I am afraid of the
sled which is none too strong. Our gait on level ice is about
two and a half miles per hour." This is an average speed for
dogs heavily loaded and shows the team were in at least fair con-
dition.

Now for the first time we get evidence that they
are beginning to feel that the plans of the party should be
modified because of shortage of food. "This is what we have
planned to do. We will go back to camp and lighten the sled
load as much as possible (so there will be less danger of
breaking the sled) and Crawford and Galle will start south
and make as much time as they possibly can. It will be im-