BELLOT. HEPBURN. 363 



ran along the water-line as far aft as the main-mast. 

 Her hold was a perfect labyrinth of cross-beams and 

 massive fastenings, to enable her to withstand the evil 

 consequences of a "nip ; " and the arrangements gener- 

 ally were conducted in a manner which, while it indi- 

 cated the dangerous nature of the service, also served 

 to assure her crew that nothing had been left undone 

 which could in any way conduce to their comfort arid 

 safety. 



She was supplied with several boats. One was made 

 of gutta-percha, and another of mahogany ; the third 

 being a small dingy, of the ordinary kind. She had also 

 one of Halkett's Mackintosh boats, and a tin kayak, 

 made in imitation of those used by the Esquimaux. 

 Dressed moose-skins and parchment, to be converted 

 during the voyage into moccasins, snow-shoes, dog- 

 sledge-traces, &c., were abundantly supplied. Pro- 

 vision for two years was put on board, and part of this 

 consisted of a ton and a half of pemmican. 



The ship's company consisted of eighteen in all, in- 

 cluding Mr. Kennedy, the commander, Lieutenant J. 

 Bellot, the second in command, and Mr. Cowie, the sur- 

 geon. Bellot was a spirited young officer from the 

 French navy, whose romantic love of adventure led him 

 to offer his services to Lady Franklin in the search 

 which had now been going on for some years. He 

 soon proved himself to be in every way a most useful 

 auxiliary, and an honor to the nation to which he 

 belonged. 



Among the crew, who were all picked men, there was 

 John Hepburn, who will be remembered by every reader 

 of Arctic travel as the faithful attendant of Sir John 

 Franklin during his first adventurous, and in some 

 respects tragic journej^, through North America. Hep- 

 burn's spirit was fired with an irresistible desire to assist 



