352 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



for the two preceding days. I was particularly dis- 

 tressed by the thought that the labour of collecting 

 wood must now devolve upon Dr. Richardson and 

 Hepburn, and that my debility would disable me 

 from aifordingthem any material assistance ; indeed 

 both of them most kindly urged me not to make 

 the attempt. They were occupied the whole of 

 the next day in tearing down the logs of which 

 the store-house was built, but the mud plastered 

 between them was so hard frozen that the labour 

 of separation exceeded their strength, and they 

 were completely exhausted by bringing in wood 

 sufficient for less than twelve hours' consumption. 



I found it necessary in their absence, to re- 

 main constantly near Adam, and to converse with 

 him, in order to prevent his reflecting on our con- 

 dition, and to keep up his spirits as far as pos- 

 sible. I also lay by his side at night. 



On the 3d the weather was very cold, though 

 the atmosphere was cloudy. This morning Hep- 

 burn was affected with swelling in his limbs, his 

 strength as well as that of the Doctor, was 

 rapidly declining; they continued, however, to 

 be full of hope. Their utmost exertions could 

 only supply wood, to renew the fire thrice, and 

 on making it up the last time we went to bed. 

 Adam was in rather better spirits, but he could 

 not bear to be left alone. Our stock of bones 



