160 TIIE WHALEMAN; OR, 



ous journey, and how probable that each one of 

 us in tarn would lag behind, and finally lie down 

 to rise up no more ! 



We saw in our companion an example of 

 what our own fate might shortly be. Whatever 

 of heart or hope there was left, the captain en- 

 couraged those with him to put forth all their 

 strength and energies, as every thing they held 

 dear on earth — even life itself — was now at 

 stake. If they faltered, death was certain; if 

 they pressed on, there might be some remote 

 chance of safety and of life. 



When Captain Norton left the settlement, he 

 took with him as his only supply of food, both 

 for himself and his three companions, three sea 

 biscuits, which he hid away the first of the win- 

 ter as a last resort, not knowing what necessity 

 the future miiiht bring along with it. 



The last and final emergency had now arrived. 

 He therefore took one of the biscuits, and divided 

 it into three parts, retained one for himself, and 

 gave the other two to his companions. 



Soon after the division of the biscuit, we found 

 a temporary shelter under the lee of a precipitous 

 and broken line of hills, which extended some 

 distance, and which protected us from the cold 

 and piercing north wind. 



Captain Norton never allowed himself to sit 



