A START FOR CAMP HUNT. 407 



hours at a time, and then sank into the sea, and twenty-two 

 hours of darkness followed. 



In due time, through native sources, the news of the burn- 

 ing of the Rodgers had reached Camp Hunt, and Mr. Putnam 

 at once resolved to cany supplies to his distressed shipmates. 

 He hired three natives (one of whom was named Ehr Ehren) 

 to accompany him, and started south with four loaded 

 sledges. At Inchnan (25 miles from East Cape) he met 

 Lieutenant Berry, who was on his way to Putnam's camp, 

 and received instructions to continue his trip, and to bring 

 Ensign Hunt and Engineer Zane back with him. 



On the 4th of January Mr. Putnam and his party reached 

 the village at North Head, delivered his provisions, and re- 

 mained several days for his dogs to recuperate. Among the 

 most acceptable articles which he brought to his comrades, 

 was a quantity of books and magazines. 



Master Putnam started to return to Camp Hunt, January 

 10th, accompanied by Hunt, Zane, Castillo, and the three 

 natives. Mr. Putnam drove his own team of nine dogs, and 

 Mr. Hunt rode on the sled beside him. Dr. Castillo rode 

 with Ehr Ehren, Mr. Zane rode with a native named Nor- 

 tuna, and the third native rode alone. They had not pro- 

 ceeded far when Putnam's sled broke down, and, although it 

 was repaired, Hunt was obliged to ride with the third native. 

 Subsequent events are described by the Herald correspond- 

 ent as follows : 



" Toward noon the sky became overcast. A wind sprang 

 up from the northward, and soon increased to a terrific gale, 

 filling the air so thickly with snow that it became impossible 

 to see the route, and consequently the natives lost their way. 

 They kept on, however, making the dogs face the gale until 

 six P. M., when the natives deemed it expedient to camp 

 where they were for the night. The air was so thick with 

 the drifting snow that the lead dogs could not be seen by the 

 drivers. This was a night of severe suffering to the travel- 

 ers, who sat on their sleds trying to obtain a little sleep, ex- 



