Page:The frozen North; an account of Arctic exploration for use in schools (IA frozennorthaccou00hort).pdf/37

 IV. FRANKLIN'S SECOND LAND JOURNEY

1825-1827

After Franklin had been at home about two years, he began to feel restless and to long for action. About this time the English government decided to send Parry, for the third time, in search of the northwest sea passage.

Franklin advised that another land party be sent at the same time to the mouth of the Mackenzie. There, he thought, the party should divide, one branch of it to explore the coast of North America east to the Coppermine river, the other to go westward to Icy cape. Then the entire northern coast of North America would have been covered, and the land party might meet and assist Parry. The government decided to adopt Franklin's plan, and when he begged to be allowed to command this expedition, granted his request, and more than this, permitted him to make all arrangements for the expedition. He first ordered three boats to be built which should be suitable for travel on both rivers and lakes, as well as on the Arctic ocean. They must combine light weight with great strength. In 1824 Franklin sent these boats, filled with stores and provisions, to Great Bear lake in charge of the Hudson Bay Company; and on February 16, 1825, he and his officers sailed.

They traveled through the United States and Canada to Great Bear lake, where they halted for a few days for the purpose of bargaining with the Indians for supplies