OF THE POLAR SEA. 299 



the Doctor went about half a mile farther back, 

 to the spot where Credit was said to have halted, 

 and the track being nearly obliterated by the 

 snow drift, it became unsafe for him to go further. 

 Returning he passed Vaillant, who having moved 

 only a few yards in his absence, had fallen down, 

 was unable to rise, and could scarcely answer 

 his questions. Being unable to afford him any 

 effectual assistance, he hastened on to inform us 

 of his situation. When J. B. Belanger had heard 

 the melancholy account, he went immediately to 

 aid Vaillant, and bring up his burden. Re- 

 specting Credit, we were informed by Samandr^, 

 that he had stopped a short distance behind Vail- 

 lant, but that his intention was to return to the 

 encampment of the preceding evening. 



When Belanger came back with Vaillant's load, 

 he informed us that he had found him lying on 

 his back, benumbed with cold, and incapable of 

 being roused. The stoutest men of the party 

 were now earnestly entreated to bring him to the 

 fire, but they declared themselves unequal to the 

 task ; and, on the contrary, urged me to allow 

 them to throw down their loads, and proceed to 

 Fort Enterprise with the utmost speed. A com- 

 pliance with their desire would have caused the 

 loss of the whole party, for the men were totally 

 ignorant of the course to be taken, and none of 



