

OF THE POLAR SEA. 



* * 



429 



The want of tripe de roche caused us to go supperless to bed. 

 Showers of snow fell frequently during the night. The breeze was 

 light next morning, the weather cold and clear. We were all on 

 foot by day-break, but from the frozen state of our tents and bed 

 clothes, it was long before the bundles could be made, and as usual, 

 the men lingered over a small fire they had kindled, so that it was 

 eight o'clock before we started. Our advance from the depth of the 

 snow was slow, and about noon coming to a spot where there was 



some tripe de roche, we stopped to collect it, and breakfasted. 

 Mr. Hood, who was now very feeble, and Dr. Richardson, who 

 attached himself to him, walked together at a gentle pace in the rear 

 of the party. I kept with the foremost men, to cause them to 

 halt occasionally, until the stragglers came up. Resuming our march 

 after breakfast, we followed the track of Mr. Back's party, and 

 encamped early, as all of us were much fatigued, particularly Credit, 

 who having to-day carried the men's tent, it being his turn to do so, 

 was so exhausted, that when he reached the encampment he was 







unable to stand. The tripe de roche disagreed with this man and 

 with Vaillant, in consequence of which, they were the first whose 

 strength totally failed. We had a small quantity of this weed in 

 the evening, and the rest of our supper was made up of scraps of 

 roasted leather. The distance walked to-day was six miles. As 

 Credit was very weak in the morning, his load was reduced to little 

 more than his personal luggage, consisting of his blanket, shoes, and 

 gun. Previous to setting out, the whole party ate the remains of 

 their old shoes, and whatever scraps of leather they had, to 

 strengthen their stomachs for the fatigue of the day's journey. We 

 left the encampment at nine, and pursued our route over a range of 

 bleak hills. The wind having increased to a strong gale in the 

 course of the morning, became piercingly cold, and the drift ren- 

 dered it difficult for those in the rear to follow the track over the 

 heights, whilst in the valleys, where it was sufficiently marked, from 



