106 THE SEA. 



had succumbed to a terrible attack of frost-bite and cramp in the stomach. His feet 

 were almost destroyed and utterly useless ; his hands were paralysed, and his face raw. 

 Nothing could keep him warm, though the officers, to their credit, deprived themselves 

 of nearly all their thick clothing for his benefit. After very great persistence they could, 

 indeed, to a certain limited extent, restore the circulation to his extremities, but it became 

 obvious that with the existing temperatures it would be folly to proceed with such a drag 

 and encumbrance on their enterprise. The temperature inside the tent at night was in- 

 tensely cold, and they had to burrow out a snow hut for the use of the sufferer. Even 

 inside this all the means at their command did not suffice to raise the temperature much 

 above zero, it being 2-i Q below zero at the time in the open air. The hut was simply 

 a hole about six feet by four, and six feet deep, covered over with the tent-sledge, &c., and 

 it had occupied them six hours even to accomplish this much for their patient's comfort. 

 Lieutenant Egerton says, in his report to Captain Nares, that Petersen, when asked if he 

 was warm in his feet and hands, constantly responded in the affirmative, but that when 

 examined by them they were found to be gelid and hard. The fact was that all feeling had 

 departed ; and it occupied Egerton and Rawson two hours on one occasion to restore circu- 

 lation to his feet, which they eventually succeeded in doing by rubbing them with their 

 hands and flannels. Leaving a part of their provisions and outfit, they, at eight o'clock 

 on the morning of March 15th, were under way on their return to the vessel. With some 

 assistance, Petersen, after taking a dose of thirty drops of sal-volatile and a little rum 

 the only thing, indeed, which he could keep on his stomach got over the first portion 

 of the journey, which was the worst; and as soon as the travelling became easier he was 

 lashed on the sledge and covered with robes. His circulation was so feeble that his face 

 and hands were constantly frost-bitten and his limbs cramped, entailing frequent stoppages, 

 while the two officers did their best to restore the affected parts. This happened over and 

 over again ; and there can be no doubt that both Egerton and Rawson behaved in the 

 most humane and heroic manner, suffering as they were in some degree from frost-bite 

 themselves, and having the constant care of the sledge and nine unruly dogs, while the 

 preparations for camping and cooking, into the bargain, fell to their lot. On arrival at the 

 ship every care was taken to relieve Petersen, but eventually his feet had to be amputated, 

 while not all the professional skill and unremitting care of Dr. Golan could save his life. 

 He expired from utter exhaustion three months afterwards. The two brave officers just 

 mentioned, accompanied by two seamen, subsequently made a successful trip to and from 

 the Discovery, and afterwards there was frequent communication, as well as co-operation, 

 on the part of both crews, in regard to some of the sledging parties. 



It would be undesirable to attempt the description in detail of the whole of the 

 many sledge expeditions which were sent out in various directions from both vessels. Among 

 the more important may be named that under Lieutenant Beaumont, of the Discovery, 

 who, crossing the difficult, broken, and sometimes moving ice of Robeson Channel, explored 

 the Greenland shores to lat. 82 18' N. Scurvy made its appearance in a virulent form 

 among his men, only one thoroughly escaping its ravages. The party, in detachments, 

 reached the depot at Polaris Bay with the greatest difficulty, and not before two poor 

 fellows had succumbed, Soon after the return journey of those who had proceeded furthest 



