ELISHA KENT KANE. 01 



backs upon the ice within it, in complete darkness, 

 and calmly awaiting the approach of relief or death. 

 After a short delay the return-march to the brig was 

 commenced. The disabled men were carried on a 

 sledge. During six hours the men pulled away 

 vigorously. At length the cold gradually overcame 

 them, and they halted. They were all so weakened 

 and benumbed as to be unable to strike a fire. The 

 whiskey froze in its can as hard as granite. That 

 dreamy lethargic state which is always a fearful 

 precursor of approaching death gradually began to 

 steal over them. They all wished to stop and be 

 permitted to sleep. Had they then slept, they had 

 assuredly known no waking. !N~ot all the ominous 

 knocking which resounded through the halls of the 

 aspiring Macbeth while the royal Duncan lay mur- 

 dered upon his couch, 



" His silver skin laced with his golden blood," 



could have aroused them to life again. Dr. Kane 

 therefore gave peremptory orders to proceed. Man- 

 fully they labored to obey ; and the commander him- 

 self led the way, with the intention of reaching the 

 half-way tent and preparing it for the reception of 

 the party. He was there able to melt water and 

 prepare some soup for them on their arrival. Dr. 

 Kane's beard on this occasion was frozen fast to his 



