464 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



urged me not to make the attempt. They were occupied the whole 

 of the next day in tearing down the logs of which the store-house 

 was built, but the mud plastered between them was so hard frozen 

 that the labour of separation exceeded their strength, and they were 

 completely exhausted by bringing in wood sufficient for less than 

 twelve hours' consumption. 



I found it necessary in their absence, to remain constantly near 

 Adam, and to converse with him, in order to prevent his reflecting 

 on our condition, and to keep up his spirits as far as possible. I 

 also lay by his side at night. 



On the 3d the weather was very cold, though the atmosphere was 

 cloudy. This morning Hepburn was affected with swelling in his 

 limbs, his strength as well as that of the Doctor, was rapidly de- 

 clining ; they continued, however, to be full of hope. Their utmost 

 exertions could only supply wood, to renew the fire thrice, and on 

 making it up the last time we went to bed. Adam was in rather 

 better spirits, but he could not bear to be left alone. Our stock of 

 bones was exhausted by a small quantity of soup we made this 

 evening. The toil of separating the hair from the skins, which in 

 fact were our chief support, had now become so wearisome as to 

 prevent us from eating as much as we should otherwise have done. 



November 4. — Calm and comparatively mild weather. The 

 Doctor and Hepburn, exclusive of their usual occupation, gathered 

 some tripe de roche. I went a few yards from the house in search 

 of bones, and returned quite fatigued, having found but three. The 

 Doctor again made incisions in Adam's leg, which discharged a 

 considerable quantity of water, and gave him great relief. We read 

 prayers and a portion of the New Testament in the morning and 

 evening, as had been our practice since Dr. Kichardson's arrival ; and 

 I may remark that the performance of these duties always afforded 

 us the greatest consolation, serving to reanimate our hope in the 

 mercy of the Omnipotent, who alone could save and deliver us. 



