NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEX. 433 



&c., then, erecting two tents on the ice, one for shel- 

 tering myself and the other for the crew, we ceased 

 pumping and permitted the ship to fill. 



I was the more ready to attempt this experiment, 

 when I considered, that our assistance must soon 

 fail us, as many who were forward to help in the be- 

 ginning had akeady deserted us ; and that the crews 

 of two ships before they left us, had become so care- 

 less and trifling, that they retarded every operation 

 by their untimely levity. It was peculiarly distres- 

 sing to me to observe, that men who had come ap- 

 parently with the intention of aiding us, not only 

 were useless themselves, but relaxed the exertions of 

 others by their open declarations, that the state of 

 the ship was without hope. These inconsiderate 

 men did not even scruple to converse, in the hear- 

 ing of our people, on the subject of plundering 

 the ship the moment they had the opportunity, 

 and even were heiard to name the particular ar- 

 ticles of which they would endeavour to make prize. 

 One fellow had the impudence to demand of our 

 blacksmith for some iron-work which he found 

 in the ship, intimating, that in a short time 

 it would be the prize of any one, — another pil- 

 fered a musket, — others were observed examining 

 some small sails which lay on the ice, with a view, 

 doubtless, of seeing how far they would suit their 

 convenience. Some of this unfeeling party, when at 

 the pump, evinced, by their improper conduct, their 

 widi that the ship were abandoned. Instead of 



