166 COMPELLED TO WINTER IN BELL SOUND. 



the dreadful dilemma in which they were placed. 

 At length self-preservation, the most powerful 

 of all principles, operated simultaneously upon 

 the party. " Arousing ourselves from this 

 lethargy," says the narrator, " and impressed with 

 the hopelessness of our situation if we, in any 

 way, gave way to despair ; we at once set about 

 taking the most effectual measures for preserving 

 our lives, during the long and severe winter 

 which was before us." It was now the end 

 of August, and the party determined at once 

 to proceed to the vicinity of Green Harbour 

 and lay in a stock of venison for their winter 

 consumption. They were successful in this un- 

 dertaking, having procured nineteen deer and 

 four bears, with which they returned to Bell 

 Sound, on the 3rd September, intending, however, 

 to make another trip to Green Harbour for a 

 second supply ; but they were prevented putting 

 this in execution by cold weather, which made 

 them fear the sea might freeze over and prevent 

 their return. Their next consideration was to 

 construct a house, that should enable them to 

 pass the winter in tolerable comfort, and in this 

 matter they were particularly fortunate in finding 

 a quantity of building materials, — brick, lime, 

 plank &c, which had been left at the establish- 

 ment ; and, to crown all, there was a spacious 



