The weather still remained clear, calm, and cold.

After the pioneer division had started north, all the remaining sledges were lined up, and I examined them to see that each had the standard load and full equipment.
On leaving the _Roosevelt_ I had in the field exactly enough dogs to put twenty teams of seven dogs each on the ice, and had counted on doing this; but while we were at Cape Columbia the throat distemper broke out in one team, and six dogs died.

This left me only enough for nineteen teams.
My plans were further disarranged by the disabling of two Eskimos.

I had counted on having a pickax brigade, composed of Marvin, MacMillan, and Dr.Goodsell, ahead of the main party, improving the road, but found that two Eskimos would be unfit to go on the ice--one having a frosted heel, and the other a swollen knee.

This depletion in the ranks of sledge drivers meant that Marvin and MacMillan would each have to drive a dog team, and that the pickax squad would be reduced to one man--Dr.
Goodsell.