ELISHA KENT KANE. 147 



Dr. Kane apprehended that it was his purpose to 

 procure from Hans, the chief Esquimaux friend of 

 the expedition, the only dog-sledge which the settle- 

 ment possessed, and travel southward with it. The 

 services of this dog-sledge were indispensable to the 

 existence of the crew of the Advance ; for by its 

 means Hans was occasionally able to convey to them 

 some fresh walrus-meat. After enjoying himself 

 for some time at Etah, Godfrey returned to the 

 vicinity of the deserted vessel in possession of the 

 identical dog-sledge whose assistance was so inesti- 

 mable. With it he brought some fresh provisions 

 for the scurvy-eaten crew. This act was in itself 

 very commendable; but criminal justice knows 

 nothing of set-off; and the crimes of desertion and 

 mutiny cannot be excused or justified by an act of 

 benevolence and generosity. The example of God- 

 frey in boldly defying the authority under whose 

 control the expedition had been placed ; the proba- 

 bility that he had returned to the brig in order to 

 entice his former confederate away ; his evil counsel 

 and influence upon the Esquimaux at Etah, by 

 which they might in future be rendered hostile to the 

 members of the expedition, and refuse them further 

 indispensable supplies ; these grave considerations 

 much overbalanced the trivial weight of a single act 



