VOYAGE AND DEATH OF FRANKLIN 189 



silver table-fork— initials, "H. D. S. G." (Harry D. S. Goodsir, assistant- 

 surgeon, Erebus); one silver table-fork— initials, "A. M'D." (Alexander 

 M'Donald, assistant-surgeon, Terror) ; one silver table-fork— initials, "G. A. 

 M." (Gillies A. Macbean, second master, Terror); one silver table-fork— 

 initials, "J. T. ;" one silver dessert-spoon— initials, "J. S. P." (John S. Peddie, 

 surgeon, Erebus); a round silver plate, engraved, "Sir John Franklin, 

 K. C. B. ;" a star or order, with motto, "Nee aspera terrent, G. R. III. 

 MDCCCXV." 



One of the most pathetic stories of the Arctic belongs to this period. It 

 is the death of Lieut. Bellot, a young Frenchman attached to the Prince Albert, 

 one of the Franklin relief ships, under Capt. Kennedy. He was attempting to 

 lead a party to join Sir Edward Belcher's squadron, near Cape Beecher. 



Bellot left Beechey Island Aug. 12, 1853, with a party. They encountered 

 a belt of water before reaching the mainland, and Bellot sought to cross it 

 alone in a boat. But the ice separated him from his companions and he per- 

 ished. One of his comrades, named Johnson, tells of building an ice-house, 

 and continues : 



"Mr. Bellot sat for half an hour in conversation with us, talking on the 

 danger of our position. I told him I was not afraid, and that the American 

 expedition was driven up and down this channel by the ice. He replied, T know 

 they were ; and when the Lord protects us, not a hair of our heads shall be 

 touched.' 



"I then asked Mr. Bellot what time it was. He said, 'About quarter past 

 eight a. m.' (Thursday, the i8th), and then lashed up his books, and said he 

 would go and see how the ice was driving. He had only been gone about four 

 minutes, when I went round the same hummock under which we were sheltered 

 to look at him, but could not see him ; and, on returning to our shelter, saw his 

 stick on the opposite side of a crack, about five fathoms wide, and the ice all 

 breaking up. I then called out 'Mr. Bellot!' but no answer— (at this time 

 blowing very heavy). After this, I again searched round, but could see noth- 

 ing of him. 



"I believe that when he got from the shelter the wind blew him into the 

 crack, and, his south-wester being tied down, he could not rise. Finding there 

 was no hope of again seeing Lieut. Bellot, I said to Hook, 'I'm not afraid : I 

 know the Lord will always sustain us.' We commenced travelling, to try to 

 get to Cape De Haven, or Port Phillips ; and, when we got within two miles of 

 Cape De Haven, could not get on shore; and returned for this side, endeavor- 



