Cabot had traded his electric flashlight for a supply of provisions sufficient to load his sled, which they took turns at hauling, and four days after leaving Battle Harbour they reached L'Anse au Loup.

At that point the strait is only a dozen miles wide, and there, if anywhere, they could cross it.

It was midday when they came to the winter huts of L'Anse au Loup, and they had intended remaining in one of them over night, but a short conversation with its owner caused them to change their plans.
"Yas, there be solid pack clear to ither side all right," he said, "but happen it 'll go out any time.

Fust change o' wind 'll loose it, and one's to be looked for.

Ah wouldn't resk it on no account mahself, but if Ah had it to do, Ah'd go in a hurry 'ithout wasting no time." "It is a case of necessity with us," said Cabot.
"Yes," agreed White, "we simply must go, and the quicker we set about it the better.