Yet the party was cheerful, singing and joking at their work, as one of the sergeants records.

Finally they reached the vicinity of Cape Sabine, all in good health, with instruments and records saved, and with arms and ammunition enough to procure ample food in a land well stocked with game.

But they did not worry very much about food, though their supply was by this time growing low.

Was not Cape Sabine the spot at which the relief expeditions were to cache food, and could it be possible that the great United States Government would fail twice in an enterprise which any Yankee whaler would gladly take a contract to fulfill?
And so the men looked upon the wilderness, and noted the coming on of the Arctic night again without fear, if with some disappointment.

Less than forty days' rations remained.