388 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. X. 



which we were enabled to go to bed with full stomachs, we 

 passed the night in a warm and comfortable manner.' 

 Franklin adds, " In following the detail of our friend's nar- 

 row escape, I have omitted to mention, that when he was 

 about to step into the water, he put his foot on a dagger, 

 which cut him to the bone ; but this misfortune could not 

 stop him from attempting the execution of his generous 

 undertaking." — pp. 424, 425. 



Eight large faggots of dry willows were now pre- 

 pared, and found to be buoyant, and a cheerful 

 supper of rock-tripe gave confidence to the despond- 

 ing people for a time ; but nothing came in from 

 the hunters, except that one of them brought in the 

 antlers and back-bone of a deer, which the wolves 

 and birds of prey had picked clean, but a small 

 quantity of the spinal marrow remained. This, 

 though putrid, was esteemed a valuable prize, and 

 was distributed in equal portions, but found to be 

 so acrid as to excoriate the lips ; the bones made 

 friable by burning were also eaten. Augustus and 

 Back returned, having traced the shore of the 

 lake fifteen miles, and despairing of continuing the 

 tour of it, thought it best to attempt to cross the 

 river at this place. 



They were now reduced to the last degree of 

 starvation, the men again extremely despondent; a 

 settled gloom hung over them ; they refused to col- 

 lect rock-tripe, preferring to fast rather than to 

 make any exertion. The river was still to be 

 crossed, and the willow-raft failing, a canoe was to 



