372 DISASTROUS SEPARATION. 



a strict search for the ship in every direction in which 

 it was likely that she could have been carried ; and, 

 secondly, in the event of being unsuccessful in this, it 

 was determined to make a journey early in spring to 

 Cape Walker, to search in that direction for traces of 

 Captain Franklin and his crews ; and so accomplish at 

 least part of the object for which this expedition had 

 been fitted out. 



There were difficulties in the way, however. Shoes 

 were wanted. Without shoes nothing could be done 

 at all ; so it behoved them to exert their ingenuity. 

 There was nothing in the depot of provisions that could 

 be turned to this use ; but, fortunately, a good deal of 

 the canvas covering of the old house was left, and out 

 of this several pairs of shoes were made. They answered 

 pretty well, although, indeed, they lasted not much 

 longer than a few days ; so two of the party were set 

 to work to devote their whole time to the making of a 

 supply of canvas shoes, which should last them during 

 the whole winter. 



In contriving and constructing such clothing and 

 implements as were absolutely necessary, and in pre- 

 paring for their intended journeys, they now spent 

 much of their time. The Sabbaths were always days 

 of rest, and devoted to the worship of God, whose ten- 

 der care had thus provided them with all the necessaries, 

 and not a few of the comforts, of life. 



On the 17th of October, while they were engaged in 

 the usual routine of daily duty, a shot was heard to 

 reverberate among the cliffs of Cape Seppings. So 

 unwonted a sound caused them to rush tumultuously 

 from their occupations, when they found, with emotions 

 of inexpressible thankfulness and joy, that it proceeded 

 from a party of seven of the Prince Albert's men, headed 

 by Bellot, who had dragged the jolly-boat all the way 



