THE RESCUE PROVIDENTIAL. 647 



they got on board, having been nearly seven hours In trav- 

 ersing a distance of about twelve miles. This arose from 

 the soft and slushy state of the deep snow covering the ice, 

 while myriads of huge hummocks were piled and heaped 

 everywhere over the surface, which was also much split 



and full of treacherous holes, into which many a flounder 



it 



took place. The party, on reaching the ship, were made 

 heartily welcome and as comfortable as the means at our 

 command could possibly supply. They appeared tired 

 and weather-beaten, but in good health and high spirits at 

 having fallen in with a 'Scotch whaler/ for which ves- 

 sels they were on the lookout, their commander knowing 

 (he being once in the trade himself) that about this time 

 the whalers passed through Melville Bay. The party 

 were delighted to hear from us of the safety of their com- 

 rades, from whom they parted (adrift on an ice-floe) last 

 October. They never expected to hear of them more, and 

 were much surprised- at their miraculous escape from what 

 appeared a certain if not a speedy death. It was doubt- 

 less, also, a truly providential circumstance that placed 

 the Ravenscraig in a position to pick up this party of 

 castaways." 



That Capt. Allan is right in ascribing to Providence 

 the opportune arrival of the Ravenscraig we may see by 

 considering the condition of our friends, and their resources 

 as regards food, the state of their boats, and the impracti- 

 cability of traveling on foot a distance of at least 300 

 miles over such treacherous ice as then covered the ex- 

 panse of Melville Bay. Only about six days' provisions 

 were left, although divided with the utmost economy ; and, 

 even with plenty of ammunition and arms, sufficient food 

 could not in all probability have been obtained to support 

 fourteen men during a long and toilsome march. Bears, 

 seals and birds are scarcely to be got at. Dr. Kane, on 

 the same track, had the utmost difficulty in shooting two 

 seals, while he had the invaluable aid of a trained hunter, 



