ROSS'S SECOND VOYAGE. 207 



choice was left but to return to Fury Beach, and there 

 spend their fourth Arctic winter. Proceeding; there- 

 fore, in the boats, on the 30th of September they 

 reached Batty Bay, more than half the distance ; but 

 the ice rendering 1 it impossible to sail further, they 

 hauled them on shore, and left them above high-water 

 mark. Then, carrying the provisions on sledges, and 

 making a somewhat difficult journey, they arrived, on 

 the 7th of October, at what they now accounted their 

 home. 



The party suffered, at first, a good deal from cold, 

 against which their canvas covering afforded very im- 

 perfect shelter. They contrived, however, to envelop 

 it in a wall of snow, and set up an additional stove, 

 which was so effectual that the heat of 51 could be 

 maintained within. It was necessary to make a reduc- 

 tion in the allowance of preserved meats ; bread was 

 somewhat deficient ; and the stock of wine and spirits 

 was entirely exhausted. However, as they had caught 

 a few foxes, which were considered a delicacy, and 

 there was plenty of flour, sugar, soups, and vegetables, 

 a diet could be easily arranged sufficient to maintain 

 the party in health and vigor. 



The winter, as it advanced, proved one of great sever- 

 ity ; and, when the cold reached its utmost rigor, their 

 slight walls could no longer keep the mansion in a com- 

 fortable heat. The tempestuous weather made it impos- 

 sible to take exercise in the open air ; and at length 

 their patience appears to have been wearied out by this 

 long and dreary imprisonment within the Arctic wastes. 

 On the 16th of February, 1833, Thomas, the carpenter, 

 died of scurvy an event deeply regretted in itself, and 

 regarded as a warning of what was too likely to befall 

 the rest. Several of the seamen, in fact, became affected 

 with this cruel disease, of which Ross himself felt the 



