187G LIEUTENANT PARR ARRIVES ON BOARD. 345 



Under these circumstances Parr nobly volunteered to 

 bring me the news and so obtain relief for his com- 

 panions. 



Starting with only an alpenstock and a small 

 allowance of provisions, at the end of twenty miles he 

 arrived at a shooting tent in Dumbell Bay, where lie 

 hastily made himself a cup of tea ; pushing on, he 

 completed his long and solitary walk within twenty- 

 four hours. 



Arrangements were at once made to proceed to 

 Commander Markham's assistance, and by midnight 

 two strong parties of officers and men had started ; 

 Lieutenant May, and Doctor Moss who wore snow- 

 shoes, pushing on before us, with the dog-sledge laden 

 with appropriate medical stores. By making a forced 

 march they reached Markham's camp within fifty 

 hours of Parr's departure. 



Their arrival had naturally a most exhilarating 

 effect on the stricken men ; but to our great regret 

 they were unfortunately too late to save the life of 

 George Porter, who only a few hours previously had 

 expired : he was buried in the floe by the wayside. 



Early on the following day I joined them with the 

 main relief party, when the hope and trust which had 

 never deserted them was quickened to the utmost ; 

 even the prostrate men losing the depression of spirits 

 induced by the disease that had attacked them, and 

 which in their case was much intensified by the recent 

 loss of their comrade. 



It is difficult for a stranger to the surrounding cir- 

 cumstances and scenery to realize the condition and 

 appearance of these men, who in spite of their truly 



