390 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. X. 



were got over, without any serious accident. Yet 

 several of the men were wholly unable to proceed 

 a day's journey, and three or four had fallen or lay 

 down and were left behind. Dr. Richardson and 

 Mr. Hood, with their usual feelings of humanity, 

 proposed to remain to take care of, and to bring 

 up, the disabled to a spot where there was a thicket 

 of willows and a supply of rock-tripe. John 

 Hepburn, the kindest of mortals, volunteered to 

 remain with them ; but though his assistance was 

 too much needed elsewhere, Franklin, with his 

 characteristic feeling, suffered him to remain, as 

 being the best assistant Dr. Richardson could 

 have in taking care of those who were disabled. 

 Franklin was most unwilling to part with any of 

 his comrades, but saw the necessity of doing so. 

 " And after," he says, " we had united in thanks- 

 giving and prayers to Almighty God, I separated 

 from my companions, deeply afflicted that a train 

 of melancholy circumstances should have demanded 

 of me the severe trial of parting, in such a condition, 

 from friends who had become endeared to me by 

 their constant kindness and co-operation, and a par- 

 ticipation of numerous sufferings." The parting 

 took place on the 7th of October, at the distance of 

 about twenty- four miles from Fort Enterprise. 



The party who proceeded with Captain Franklin 

 consisted of eight persons. Two of the Canadians, 

 Belanger and Michel, on the first day's journey 



