OP THE POLAR SEA. 337 



of intellect though blind to our own. Yet we 

 ^vere calm and resigned to our fate, not a murmur 

 escaped us, and we were punctual and fervent in 

 our addresses to the Supreme Being. 



On the 19th Michel refused to hunt, or even to 

 assist in carrying a log of wood to the fire, which 

 was too heavy for Hepburn's strength and mine. 

 Mr. Hood endeavoured to point out to him the 

 necessity and duty of exertion, and the cruelty 

 of his quitting us without leaving something for 

 our support ; but the discourse, far from producing 

 any beneficial effect, seemed only to excite his 

 anger, and amongst other expressions, he made 

 use of the following remarkable one : " It is no 

 use hunting, there are no animals, you had better 

 kill and eat me." At length, however, he went 

 out, but returned very soon, with a report that he 

 had seen three deer, which he was unable to 

 follow from having wet his foot in a small stream 

 of water thinly covered with ice, and being con- 

 sequently obliged to come to the fire. The day 

 was rather mild, and Hepburn and I gathered a 

 large kettleful of tripe dc roche ; Michel slept m 

 the tent this night. 



Sundat/, October 20.-In the morning we again 

 urged Michel to go a hunting that he might if pos- 

 sible leave us some provision, to-morrow being 

 the day appointed for his quitting us ; but he 



Vol. If. ^ 



