NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 149 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Provisions of the Natives getting low. — New Calamity threatened. 

 — Health and Strength failing. — Necessity of seeking other 

 Quarters. — The only alternative. — Report of a Wreck. — Parties 

 leave. — Dreadful Traveling and Exposures. — Report by the Na- 

 tives that our Men were frozen to Death. — An Instance of Treach- 

 ery. — The Captain and his Party leave. — The Weather. — Trav- 

 eling. — Thoughts of Home. — Preservation. — One of the Party 

 unable to walk. — Left behind. — Found by the Natives. — The 

 Fate before us. — Division of the Biscuit. — Another fails, sits 

 down, and is frozen to Death. — Reflections. — Captain Norton 

 encourages his only remaining Companion. — Singular Appear- 

 ance upon the Ice. — Dog Teams. — Part of Mr. Fisher's Compa- 

 ny. — Encouragement to our Minds. — Natives unwilling to help 

 us. — The Danger of Riding. — Last Effort. — The Music of Bark- 

 ing Dogs. — Our Manner of Traveling. — Dreadful Condition of 

 our Feet. — Captain Norton falls exhausted. — Native Kindness. 



In February, it became apparent to all of us, 

 that the provisions of the natives were getting 

 low ; we saw it in our daily fare — diminished in 

 quantity, if not poorer in quality. 



A new and unexpected calamity now threat- 

 ened us. One misfortune after another had fol- 

 lowed us since the wreck of the ship ; deliver- 

 ance had failed us when it was just within our 

 reach ; disappointment and untold deprivation 

 had taken its place ; but now, as if our past 



