414 LADY FRANKLIN. after five long years of labor and suffering, if not an earlier period. " I am sure you will do all that man can do for the attainment of all these objects ; my only fear is that you may spend yourselves too much in the effort ; and you must therefore let me tell you how much dearer to me even than any of them is the preservation of the valuable lives of the little band of heroes who are your compan- ions and followers. " May God in his great mercy preserve you all from harm amidst the labors and perils which await you, and restore you to us in health and safety, as well as honor ! As. to the honor I can have no misgiving. It will be yours as much if you fail (since you may fail in spite of every effort) as if you succeed; and be assured that, under any and all circumstances whatever, such is my unbounded confidence in you, you will ever possess and be entitled to the enduring gratitude of your sincere and attached friend, Jane Franklin." The confidence expressed in this letter was not mis- placed. Captain M'Clintock's heart was indeed in the work, and his enthusiasm was shared alike by officers and crew. It was a bitter disappointment to them all when in August their vessel was caught in the ice in Melville Bay, and they were obliged to remain in the pack, drifting with it when it drifted, until the next spring. During this long detention Ladv Franklin was often in DO v their thoughts, and they spoke sorrowfully of the grief she would experience when she learned of the delay. The feeling of the crew towards her was described by Captain M'Clintock as" veneration." She was remembered on all their holidays, and at their Christmas dinner her health and that of Miss Cracroft were drunk with accla- mations. It was also unanimously resolved, after the
