792 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



forced march to Ku Mark Surka, or some other settlement on 

 the Lena River. We reached here on Tuesday, October 4th, 

 with a disabled comrade, H. H. Ericksen (seaman), who died 

 yesterday morning, and was buried in the river at noon. His 

 death resulted from frost-bite and exhaustion, due to conse- 

 quent exposure. The rest of us are well, but have no pro- 

 visions left — having eaten our last this morning. 



Under way at 8.30 and proceeded until 11.20, by 

 which time we had made about three miles. Here we 

 were all pretty well done up, and, moreover, seemed to 

 be wandering in a labyrinth. A large lump of wood 

 swept in by an eddy seemed to be a likely place to get 

 hot water, and I halted the party. For dinner we had 

 one ounce alcohol in a pot of tea. Then went ahead, 

 and soon struck what seemed like the river again. 

 Here four of us broke through the ice in trying to 

 cross, and fearing frost-bite I had a fire built on the 

 west bank to dry us. Sent Alexey off meanwhile to 

 look for food, directing him not to go far nor to stay 

 long; but at 3.30 he had not returned, nor was he in 

 sight. Light S. W. breeze, hazy ; mountains in sight 

 to southward. 



At 5.30 Alexey returned with one ptarmigan, of 

 which we made soup, and with one half ounce alcohol 

 had our supper. Then crawled under our blankets for 

 a sleep. Light W. breeze ; full moon ; starlight. Not 

 very cold. Alexey saw river a mile wide with no ice 

 in it. 



October &th, Saturday. — One hundred and eigh- 

 teenth clay. Called all hands at 5.30. Breakfast, one 

 ounce alcohol in a pint of hot water. Doctor's note : 

 Alcohol proves of great advantage ; keeps off craving 

 for food, preventing gnawing at stomach, and has kept 

 up the strength of the men, as given, — three ounces 



