2S4 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



to US as quickly as possible with supplies of 

 meat. 



We had this evening the pain of discovering 

 that two of our men had stolen part of the officers' 

 provision, which had been allotted to us with 

 strict impartiality. This conduct was the more 

 reprehensible, as it was plain that we were suf- 

 fering, even in a greater degree than themselves, 

 from the effects of famine, owing to our being of 

 a less robust habit, and less accustomed to priva- 

 tions. We had no means of punishing this crime, 

 but by the threat that they should forfeit their 

 wages, which had now ceased to operate. 



Mr. Back and his companions set out at six in 

 the morning, and we started at seven. As the 

 snow had entirely disappeared, and there were 

 no means of distinguishing the footsteps of strag- 

 glers, I gave strict orders, previously to our set- 

 ting out, for all the party to keep together : and 

 especially I desired the two Esquimaux not to 

 leave us, they having often strayed in search of 

 the remains of animals. Our people, however, 

 through despondency, had become careless and 

 disobedient, and had ceased to dread punish- 

 ment, or hope for reward. Much time was lost 

 in halting and firing guns to collect them, but the 

 labour of walking was so much lightened by the 



