156 FOOD, BUT NOT FUEL. \March, 



barred them from the enjoyment of many fresh meals. 

 To persons reduced to necessity there is every reason to 

 believe that the means of sustaining a miserable exist- 

 ence might be found on the coasts of Cornwallis and 

 Melville Islands ; but it is fearful to contemplate the 

 result ; for most assuredly scurvy, in its most virulent 

 form, would soon deprive them of the power to travel to 

 a position where effectual aid might be available ! But, 

 granting that some more vigorous individuals might have 

 been able to push forward, in the hope of sending back 

 assistance, if encountered, we who have travelled and 

 calculated the powers with sound men and good sledges, 

 know full well that powers to drag the carcases killed 

 would not avail them beyond short distances, and that 

 the first journey would probably carry them beyond the 

 grounds where game resort ! It has been imagined, be- 

 cause game has been found in particular spots, that it 

 must prevail throughout these regions, and moreover that 

 on our particular ground it would yet be more abun- 

 dant. The fallacy of such arguments is, I trust, now de- 

 termined. 



It was natural enough for the ice-bound crews of the 

 'Resolute' and 'Investigator' to eat, drink, and be merry; 

 but with our missing friends, if existing, the ship, the 

 home, and the fuel were wanting, to render the meal 

 palatable. Independent however of food, I cannot now 

 believe in the possibility of any party existing without 

 some substantial shelter in a climate which averages over 

 151 days a mean temperature of 30'S1, and at times 

 as low as 63! Again, on comparing our climates, 

 Captain Kellett remarks : " We lutve had during the 



