130 SNOW HOUSES. [September, 



man to his duty, and the agreeable monster was secured, 

 cut up, and deposited at the tents a most acceptable 

 boon in every way. It not only secured our existence 

 until the ice re-formed, but afforded plenty of that next 

 blessing to food, the means of cooking and obtaining 

 water -fuel. Now might be heard the discussion of 

 who killed it : of this I cared not, we caught it, and it 

 was yet warm, and good food. It had been shot in the 

 throat, a wound generally fatal, and causing them to seek 

 the floe to die. Another gratifying feeling was also af- 

 forded me that our dogs would find sustenance ; for 

 the loss of them, by starvation or compxilsion to kill, 

 would have distressed me considerably, next indeed to 

 personal misfortune. 



It continued to blow hard, with sleet, rendering our 

 labours very harassing ; but activity and employment 

 for mind as well as body must be found. I had great 

 difficulty to contend with. Snow-walls were ordered to 

 be built round our encampment ; and, as it occurred to 

 me that this would prove a convenient moment for prac- 

 tising our men in house-building, I superintended per- 

 sonally, as chief mason, in this practice. 



On Tuesday, the 28th, the wind shifting more south- 

 erly, and no "plans or estimates" for the boat having 

 been sent in, I proceeded to work in my own way ; and 

 I must say, although the others volunteered, when she 

 was constructed, to command her, that Mr. Loney did 

 so before I commenced, in the full confidence of suc- 

 cess attending. However, volunteers do not guide me ; 

 I select those to whom I intend to entrust the duty, 

 and Commander Richards would have been selected. 



