CHAPTER XXXI. 



LIEUTENANT DE LONG'S DIARY. 



THE pathetic story of the wanderings, hardships, and 

 intense sufferings of. the members of the first cutter 

 ] >;irty, from the time when they hauled on the Lena delta 

 down to October 1st, as recorded by Lieutenant DeLong, has 

 been given in Chapter XL The sequel to this sloiy was 

 written by DeLong in his note-book, which was found beside 

 his dead body, and covers a period extending from October 

 1st to the end. 



Lieutenant DeLong' s diary <-l.u>e^ without any reference 

 to himself, Dr. Ambler, or Ah Sam. The bodies of these 

 three were found by Melville, lying under the sno\v near each 

 other, and partially covered by pieces of the lent and pieces 

 of blanket. It is probable thai they did not long survive the 

 last of their comrades, Mr. Collins, who died October 30th. 

 The deaths of all the others had been previously recorded. 

 The melancholy record is as follows : 



SATURDAY, October 1st, lllth day, and a new month. 

 Called all hands as soon as the cook announced boil- 

 ing water, and at 6.45 had our breakfast, half a pound 

 of deer-meat and tea. Sent Nindermann and Alexai to 

 examine the main river, other men to collect wood. The 

 doctor resumed the cutting away of poor Erickson's toes this 

 inoi ning. No doubt it will have to continue until his feet 

 are gone, unless death ensues or we get to some settlement. 

 Only one toe left now. Weather clear, light northeast airs, 

 barometer 30.15 at 6.05. Temperature eighteen degrees at 

 7.30. Nindermann and Alexai were seen to have crossed, and 

 I immediately sent men to carry our load over. Left the fol- 

 lowing record : 



[See Record No. 4, on page 12D.J 



