OF THE POLAR SEA. 339 
ing, but they were small, and furnished but a 
scanty breakfast for the party. Whilst this meal 
was preparing, our Canadian voyagers, who had 
been for some days past murmuring at their 
meagre diet, and striving to get hole of our 
little provision to consume at once, broke out 
into open discontent, and several of them threaten- 
ed they would not proceed forward unless more 
food was given to them. This conduct was the 
Jmore unpardonable, as they saw we were rapidly 
approaching the fires of the hunters, and that pro- 
vision might soon be expected. I, therefore, felt 
the duty incumbent on me to address them in the 
strongest manner on the danger of insubordina- 
tion, and to assure them of my determination to 
inflict the heaviest punishment on any that should 
persist in their refusal to go on, or in any other 
‘way attempt to retard the Expedition. I con- 
sidered this decisive step necessary, having learn- 
ed from the gentlemen, most intimately acquainted 
with’the character of the Canadian voyagers, that 
they invariably try how far they can impose upon 
every new master with whom they may serve, 
and that they will continue to be disobedient and 
intractable if they once gain any ascendency over 
him. I must admit, however, that the present 
hardships of our companions were of a kind 
which few could support without murmuring, and 
Z2 
