152 THE WHALEMAN ; OR, 



tion of East Cape. In the afternoon of the 

 same day another party of three left, Mr. Fisher 

 and two others, taking the same course as those 

 did in the morning. 



The last party soon came up with the first one, 

 and found the two men nearly exhausted, and 

 overcome by the difficulties of traveling, and by 

 the intenseness of the cold ; but by encourage- 

 ment and hope held out to them, that another 

 day they might find a native settlement, they 

 struggled on through that night* The next day, 

 they pressed on the best they could, making, 

 however, but very slow progress, and seeing but 

 little before them to animate their minds, or to 

 raise up their spirits. They had gone as far as 

 strength, or hope, or the love of life could carry 

 them. They became bewildered, chilled, frost- 

 bitten, and blinded by the flying snow ; and as 

 their last resort before they should lie down in 

 death, having given up all prospect of getting 

 any farther, they traveled round and round in a 

 circle ; and they were found in this condition 

 when discovered by several natives, who imme- 

 diately led them to their huts, which were only 

 a mile or two distant. 



How these men were kept alive during the 

 time they were exposed to the intense cold of the 

 day, and especially of the cheerless arctic night, 



