58 THE SAD FATE OF BE LONG. 



illness of several of the men, progress was slow. Erickson 

 had for many days undergone most dreadful suffering on 

 account of his feet having been frozen. The very sinews and 

 muscles of his feet were exposed ; yet in this condition he was 

 forced to travel and carry a load of nearly forty pounds. 

 Thus the terrible journey continued till October 6th, when 

 Erickson died and was buried in the Lena River. 



Their situation now became most desperate. The provi- 

 sions were entirely exhausted. Nindemann and Noros, being 

 the strongest of the party, set out, in obedience to their com- 

 mander, in search of relief. Having no food, they had to sub- 

 sist on pieces of their seal skin clothing. After untold suffer- 

 ing, they reached a E-ussian settlement, called Ku Mark 

 Surka, where they were kindly received. Through these peo- 

 ple they had the joy of learning that Melville and party were 

 in the neighboring settlement of Bulem. On meeting, expe- 

 riences were soon exchanged. Melville had barely escaped 

 being swamped at sea. Upon landing at Lena Delta they had 

 been fortunate in meeting natives and obtaining food. The 

 terrible condition of De Long was soon told Melville, who 

 immediately prepared to go to his relief after sending all 

 save Nindemann to Yakoutsk. 



Melville with INindemann and two exiles started with ten 

 days provisions to the relief of De Long. They were gone 

 twenty-three days in a fruitless search, as a heavy snow storm 

 had completely covered the trail of Noros and Nindemann. 

 They continued the search, with starvation staring them 

 in the face, but no traces were found of the missing men, 

 although they traversed a distance of 663 miles. 



Upon returning, Melville communicated with the Ameri- 

 can Minister at St. Petersburg, to whom he gave a full ac- 

 count of the expedition. Melville remained till the following 

 spring to continue the search for his lost comrades, but sent 

 nearly all the other survivors to the United States. March 

 16th, 1882, they again set out on their mission of mercy, hav- 



