1876 ILLNESS OF PETERSEN. .269 



alongside of him while the other was recovering his 

 warmth by exercise. On the morning of the 15th the 

 patient being slightly better, and the weather permit- 

 ting, they started to return to the ship with the sledge 

 lightened to the utmost. 



4 During the journey of sixteen miles over a very 

 rough ground, although frequently very seriously 

 frost-bitten themselves, they succeeded in keeping life 

 in the invalid until they arrived on board. He was 

 badly frost-bitten in the face and feet ' 



Notwithstanding the professional ability and inces- 

 sant care of Dr. Colan, Petersen never recovered from 

 the severe shock which he had received, and eventu- 

 ally expired from exhaustion three months after- 

 wards. 



During severe weather Arctic travelling of any 

 sort, at a distance from all other human help, is only 

 just bearable for strong men when all goes well. The 

 slightest mishap is sure to entail serious consequences, 

 and a severe sickness, which providentially has seldom 

 occurred amongst the hundreds of travelling parties, is 

 almost certain to terminate fatally. 



Mr. Egerton, whose own conduct was beyond all 

 praise, thus speaks in his official report of Lieut. 

 Eawson's behaviour on this occasion : — 



1 It is with great diffidence that I presume to say 

 anything regarding the very valuable assistance that I 

 received from Lieutenant Eawson, but I feel I should 

 fail in my duty if I omitted to bring to your notice the 

 great aid I derived from his advice and help ; without 

 his unremitting exertions and cheerful spirit my own 

 efforts would have been unavailing to return with my 

 patient alive to the ship.' 



