Chap. X. FRANKLIN AND RICHARDSON'S JOURNEY. 393 



panions proceed in search of the Indians, and re- 

 turned to his miserable home. Miserable, indeed, 

 it was ; two of the three left behind were unable to 

 quit their beds, and they scarcely ceased from shed- 

 ding tears the whole day. " I was too weak to 

 pound the bones, and Peltier (the third) agreed to 

 do that in addition to his more fatiguing task of 

 getting wood. We perceived our strength to de- 

 cline every day, and every exertion began to be 

 irksome ; when once seated, the greatest effort was 

 necessary in order to rise, and we had frequently to 

 lift each other from our seats." 



Eighteen days were passed in this miserable con- 

 dition, which had increased from day to day, with 

 the prospect, however, of a speedy termination, for 

 the weather had set in so severely, that the tripe de 

 roche was entirely frozen, the thermometer being 

 from 15° to 20° below zero. Just then, Franklin 

 says — 



" Whilst we were seated round the fire this evening, dis- 

 coursing about the anticipated relief, the conversation was 

 suddenly interrupted by Peltier's exclaiming with joy, ' Ah ! 

 le monde ! \ imagining that he heard the Indians in the 

 other room ; immediately afterwards, Dr. Richardson and 

 Hepburn entered, each carrying his bundle. When I saw 

 them alone my own mind was instantly filled with appre- 

 hensions respecting my friend Hood and our other com- 

 panions, which were immediately confirmed by the Doctor's 

 melancholy communication that Mr. Hood and Michel were 

 dead. Perrault and Fontano had neither reached the tent, 

 nor been heard of by them. This intelligence produced a 



