THE FATAL MONTH. 789 



we sought any rest for ourselves. This was done in a 

 quiet and reverent manner, though I fear ray broken 

 utterances made but little of the service audible. Then 

 setting a watch we all, except Alexey, laid down to 

 sleep at ten a. m. Alexey went off to hunt, but re- 

 turned at noon wet, having broken through the ice and 

 fallen in the river. 



At six p. m. all roused up, and I considered it nec- 

 essary to think of some food for my party. Half a 

 pound of dog was fried for each one and a cup of tea 

 given, and that constituted our clay's food. But we 

 were so grateful that we were not exposed to the 

 merciless S. W. gale that tore around us that we did 

 not mind short rations. 



October bth, Wednesday. — One hundred and fif- 

 teenth day. The cook commenced at 7.30 to get tea, 

 made from yesterday's tea leaves. Nothing can be 

 served out to eat until evening. One half pound dog 

 per day is our food until some relief is afforded us. 

 Alexey went off hunting again at nine, and I set the 

 men to work collecting light sticks enough to make a 

 flooring for the house, for the frozen ground thawing 

 under everybody has kept them damp and wet and 

 robbed them of much sleep. 



S. W. gale continues. Mortification has set in in 

 Ericksen's leg and he is sinking. Amputation would 

 be of no use, for he would probably die under the op- 

 eration. He is partially conscious. At twelve Alexey 

 came back, having seen nothing. He crossed the river 

 this time, but unable longer to face the cold gale was 

 obliged to return. 



I am of the opinion that we are on Tit Ary Island, 

 on its eastern side, and about twenty-five miles from 

 Ku Mark Surka, which I take to be a settlement. This 



