130 ILLNESS OF MR. MOORE. 



Avere our only trusts, and we remained here all day 

 without change, once only getting a glimpse of the 

 surrounding country, which proved to be table-land, 

 at a considerable height, encircled by hills. Our 

 sledges were so fully and heavily laden that they 

 were of little service as couches ; we made holes in 

 the snow and lay in a crouching position, exposing 

 our heads only ; thus a little, very little, miserable 

 slumber was occasionally obtained, although two 

 days' weariness courted repose. A new disaster to 

 one of our party soon robbed the remainder of 

 even this taste of luxury. Our comrade, Mr. 

 Moore, became afflicted with diarrhoea so violently 

 that we were much alarmed on his account, 

 and had, moreover, but scanty means of assuaging 

 his distress. A small quantity of spirits re- 

 lieved him somewhat, but he remained faint and 

 prostrated. 



This was a miserable night ; darkness surrounded 

 us without relief, for we had neither fuel nor means 

 of obtaining light ; the snow, penetrating our outer 

 garments, thawed upon the under clothing ; gauntlets 

 and caps, frequently dropped or mislayed, were full 

 of snow when recovered, and little round crystal balls 

 fringing our inner caps and hair, greatly increased 

 om^ discomfort. It may thus be imagined how truly 



