VOYAGE AND DEATH OF FRANKLIN 187 



we could cut a grave in the ground whilst it was so hardly frozen (^a subject 

 naturally sad and depressing), we perceived a figure walking rapidly towards 

 us from the rough ice at the entrance of the bay. From his pace and gestures 

 we both naturally supposed, at first, that he was some one of our party pursued 

 by a bear ; but, as we approached him, doubts arose as to who it could be. He 

 was certainly unlike any of our men ; but, recollecting that it was possible some 

 one might be trying a new travelling-dress preparatory to the departure of our 

 sledges, and certain that no one else was near, we continued to advance. 



"When within about two hundred yards of us, the strange figure threw 

 up his arms, and made gesticulations resembling those used by Esquimaux, 

 besides shouting at the top of his voice words which, from the wind and in- 

 tense excitement of the moment, sounded like a wild screech : and this brought 

 us both fairly to a standstill. The stranger came quietly on, and we saw that 

 his face was as black as ebony (made black by the lamp smoke in his tent) ; 

 and really, at the moment, we might be pardoned for wondering whether he 

 was a denizen of this or the other world; as it was, we gallantly stood our 

 ground, and, had the skies fallen upon us, we could hardly have been more 

 astonished than when the dark-faced stranger called out, 'I'm Lieutenant Pim, 

 late of the Herald, and now in the Resolute. Captain Kellett is in her, at 

 Dealy Island.' 



"To rush at and seize him by the hand was the first impulse, for the heart 

 was too full for the tongue to speak. The announcement of relief being close 

 at hand, when none was supposed to be even within the Arctic Circle, was too 

 sudden, unexpected, and joyous, for our minds to comprehend it at once. The 

 news flew with lightning rapidity; the ship was all in commotion; the sick, 

 forgetful of their maladies, leaped from their hammocks; the artificers dropped 

 their tools, and the lower deck was cleared of .men; for they all rushed for the 

 hatchway, to be assured that a stranger was actually among them, and that his 

 tale was true. Despondency fled the ship, and Lieut. Pim received a welcome — . 

 pure, hearty, and grateful — that he will surely remember and cherish to the 

 end of his day." 



Dr. Rae's journal gives details of the finding of Franklin's relics, hereto- 

 fore described. Under date of March 20, 1854, he wrote: 



"We were met by a very intelligent Esquimo, driving a dog-sledge laden 

 with musk-ox beef. This man at once consented to accompany us two days' 

 journey, and in a few minutes had deposited his load on the snow, and was 

 ready to join us. Having explained to him my object, he said that the road 



