FIRST VOYAGE 23 



was informed, that if he remained there he would soon be 

 frozen to death, he replied, that he was so exhausted with 

 fatigue, that death would be a relief to him. Dr. Solander 

 said he was not unwilling to go, but that he must first take 

 some sleep. 



Thus resolved, they both sat down, supported by bushes, 

 and in a short time fell fast asleep. Intelligence now came 

 from the advanced party, that a fire was kindled about a 

 quarter of a mile farther on the way. Mr. Banks then waked 

 the Doctor, who had almost lost the use of his limbs already, 

 though it was but a few minutes since he sat down ; he 

 nevertheless consented to go on. Every measure taken to 

 relieve the black proved ineffectual ; he remained motionless 

 and they were obliged to leave him to the care of the other 

 black servant and a sailor, who appeared to have been the 

 least hurt by the cold ; and they were to be relieved as 

 soon as two others were sufficiently warmed to supply their 

 places. The Doctor was with much difficulty got to the fire. 

 Those who were sent to relieve the companions of Richmond, 

 returned in about half an hour without being able to find 

 them. There was a fall of snow which incessantly con- 

 tinued for nearly two hours, and there remained no hopes 

 of seeing the three absentees alive. About twelve o'clock, 

 however, a great shouting was heard at a distance, which 

 gave inexpressible satisfaction to every one present. Mr. 

 Banks and four others went forth and met the sailor, with 

 just strength enough to walk ; he was immediately sent to 

 the fire, and they proceeded to seek for the two others. 

 They found Richmond upon his legs, but incapable of 

 moving them ; the other black was lying senseless upon the 

 ground. All endeavours to bring them to the fire were 

 fruitless, nor was it possible to kindle one upon the spot, on 

 account of the snow that was still falling. There was no 

 alternative ; they were compelled to leave the two unfor- 

 tunate negroes to their fate, after covering them very thick 

 with the boughs of trees.* 



Those who had been employed in endeavouring to move 

 the two blacks to the fire, had been exposed to the cold for 

 nearly an hour and a half ; some of them began to be 

 afflicted in the same manner as those they went to relieve. 

 At length, however, they reached the fire, where they passed 

 the night in a very disagreeable manner. The party that 

 set out from the ship consisted of twelve, of whom two were 

 already judged to be dead : it was doubtful whether a third 



* Could the two poor fellows of Franklin's ships, found by 

 M'Clintock's expedition under a quantity of clothing in the boat 

 on King William's Island, have been left there (with their guns 

 loaded and cocked), under somewhat similar circumstances ? 

 by no means improbable. 



