DR. KANE'S EXPEDITION. 519 



grossing occupation, their own flesh paralyzed by the 

 cold one hundred degrees greater than frost, and theil 

 blood scurvy-filled by the four months 7 sunlessness 



It is only just also to remark, that there is unmistak- 

 able evidence, in the pages of this interesting book, that 

 the doctor was no less eminently gifted for the duties 

 of his command than he has been happy in his relation 

 of its history. Every step in his arduous path seems to 

 have been taken only after the exercise of deliberately 

 matured forethought. A few illustrations must be 

 gleaned, from the many that are scattered through the 

 pages of his journal, to direct attention to this honorable 

 characteristic. When the doctor had formed his own 

 resolution to remain by the brig through the second 

 winter, he made the following entry, under the date of 

 August 22 : "I shall call the officers and crew together, 

 and make known to them, very fully, how things look, 

 and what hazards must attend such an effort as has 

 been proposed among them. They shall have my views 

 unequivocally expressed. I will then give them twenty- 

 four hours to deliberate ; and, at the end of that time, 

 all who determine to go shall say so in writing, with a 

 full exposition of the circumstances of the case. They 

 shall have the best outfit I can give, an abundant share 

 of our remnant stores, and my good-by blessing." 



On the 6th of April the Esquimaux auxiliary, Hans, 

 was gone to Etah, with a sledge, to seek a supply of 

 walrus-meat, when, as we have already stated, William 

 Godfrey deserted from the ship ; and, the commander 

 suspected, with some sinister design upon Hans and the 

 sledge. Dr. Kane then wrote : " Clearly, duty to this 

 poor boy calls me to seek him ; and, clearly, duty to 

 these dependent men calls me to stay. Long and 

 uncomfortably have I pondered over these opposing 

 calls, but at last have come to a determination. Hans 



