238 THE SEA. 



gone ib rough. We were neither of us in our right senses, and retained a very confused 

 recollection of what preceded our arrival at the tent. We both of us, however, remember 

 a bear who walked leisurely before us, and tore up as he went a jumper that Mr. 

 M'Gariy had improvidently thrown off the day before. He tore it into shreds and rolled 

 it into a ball, but never offered to interfere with our progress. I remember this, and 

 with it a confused sentiment that our tent and buffalo robe might probably share the 

 same fate." This was a really wonderful example of the almost intoxicating and bewil- 

 dering effect of intense cold, frequently noted by arctic explorers. They were dazed, and 

 walked as in a dream. But they arrived safely at the tent, and by the time the others 

 came up had a good steaming pemmican soup ready. When they again started, Kane 

 tried the effect of brief three-minute naps in the snow, the men taking it in turns to 

 wake each other, and he considered the result satisfactory. After many a halt they 

 reached the brig. Two of the men had to undergo amputation of parts of the foot, 

 and two died, in spite of unremitting care. The searching party had been out seventy- 

 two hours, during which they had only rested eight. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



KANE'S EXPEDITION (continued). 



Arrival of Esquimaux at the Brig A Treaty Concluded Hospitality on Board Arctic Appetites Sledge Journeys A 

 Break-downMorton's Trip The Open Sea The Brig hopelessly Beset A Council Called Eight Men stand by tho 

 Advance Departure of the Rest Their Return Terrible Sufferings A Characteristic Entry Raw Meat for Food- 

 Fruitless Journeys for Fresh Meat A Scurvied Crew Starving Esquimaux Attempted Desertion A Deserter 

 brought back from the Esquimaux Settlements. 



THE arrival and visit of a number of Esquimaux at the brig caused some little excitement. 

 They were fine specimens of the race, and evidently inclined for friendship. At first only 

 one of them was admitted on board. His dress is described as a kind of hooded capote 

 or jumper of mixed blue and white fox-skins arranged with some taste, and booted trousers 

 of white bear-skin, which at the end of the foot were made to terminate with the claws 

 of the animal. Kane soon came to an understanding with this individual, and the rest 

 were admitted to the brig, where they were hospitably treated. When offered, however, 

 good fresh wheaten bread and corned pork, and large lumps of white sugar, they could 

 not be induced to touch them, but much preferred gorging on walrus meat. They were 

 greatly amazed at the coal on board too hard for blubber, and so unlike wood. They 

 were allowed to sleep in the hold. Next morning a treaty was made whereby they pledged 

 themselves, before departing, to return in a few days with more meat, and to allow Kane 

 to use their dogs and sledges in the proposed excursions. 



Kane with a party attempted in the spring of 1851 a journey to the great glacier 

 of Humboldt, from which point he had hoped "to cross the ice to the American side." 

 They had made some progress when the winter's scurvy reappeared painfully among tho 



