He left the Erebus on the 4th of May, allowing for outward and homeward journeys of a month each, with orders to turn back on the 3rd of June whatever progress he might have made. The midday temperature throughout February and March had fluctuated between minus 45 and minus 30, but during April this rose steadily to stand around 20 degrees. He hoped to make contact with any Eskimos he encountered, seek information from them regarding the land to the west, and barter with them for food and assistance. A sack of gifts, largely needles and other small tools, was included in his stores. He took with him Reid, James Fairholme, Goodsir, Philip Reddington, five seamen and two marines, including David Bryant. On the Erebus, Graham Gore was temporarily promoted to second in command, and he read out a speech of farewell as the expedition assembled itself on the ice and finally left the ships at noon on the 4th. Fitzjames and Reid walked in front. Then came the seamen hauling their sledges, two men to each and the fifth walking between them and rocking them free whenever they became stuck.
