OF THE POLAR SEA. 



445 



snow storm all the next day, and this gloomy weather contributed 

 to the depression of spirits under which Adam and Samandre were 

 labouring. Neither of them would quit their beds, and they scarcely 





ceased from shedding tears all day ; in vain did Peltier and myself 

 endeavour to cheer them. We had even to use much entreaty be- 

 fore we prevailed upon them to take the meals we had prepared. 

 Our situation was indeed distressing, but in comparison with that of 

 our friends in the rear, we considered it happy. Their condition 

 gave us unceasing solicitude, and was the principal subject of our 

 conversation. 



Though the weather was stormy on the 26th, Samandre assisted 

 me to gather tripe de roche. Adam, who was very ill, and could not 

 now be prevailed upon to eat this weed, subsisted principally on 

 bones, though he also partook of the soup. The tripe de roche had 

 hitherto afforded us our chief support, and we naturally felt great 

 uneasiness at the prospect of being deprived of it, by its being so 

 frozen as to render it impossible for us to gather it. 



We perceived our strength decline every day, and every exertion 

 began to be irksome ; when we were once seated the greatest effort 

 was necessary in order to rise, and we had frequently to lift each 

 other from our seats ; but even in this pitiable condition we conversed 

 cheerfully, being sanguine as to the speedy arrival of the Indians. 

 We calculated indeed that if they should be near the situation 

 where they had remained last winter, our men would have reached 

 them by this day. Having expended all the wood which we could 

 procure from our present dwelling, without endangering its falling, 

 Peltier began this day to pull down the partitions of the adjoining 

 houses. Though these were only distant about twenty yards, yet 

 the increase of labour in carrying the wood fatigued him so much, 

 that by the evening he was exhausted. On the next day his weak- 

 ness was such, especially in the arms, of which he chiefly complained, 

 that he with difficulty lifted the hatchet : still he persevered, Sa- 



