Bartlett then went forward to reconnoiter.
On his return he also reported open water, but with corners of big floes barring it in every direction.
That the fall hunting might get under way, Ootah, Aletah, Ooblooyah, and Ooqueah started off for the Lake Hazen region, with a sledge and eight dogs, after musk-oxen and reindeer.

It had been planned that they should hunt there until joined by other Eskimos from the ship, after she reached Cape Sheridan or Porter Bay.

But in the absence of snow, the going was too rough for even a light sledge, and the Eskimos returned.
At last, a little before midnight on the 2d, we got out of the _impasse_ at Lincoln Bay, where we had been held up for ten days.

The cables were taken in, and the _Roosevelt_, steaming first forward and then astern, extricated herself from the shore pack.

We felt as men must feel who are released from prison.