OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 243 



tion between the two canals drifted bodily outwards, as far as the rocks at \^^'^- 

 the mouth of the bay and the ice that lay upon them would permit, taking '^^-y^ 

 with it a heavy -grounded mass that lay near the Hecla, and on which it had 

 before been turning as on a pile or pivot : shortly after a second mass on 

 the eastern side of the canal iirokc off, the separation taking place uj)on the 

 line where the ice had been weakened by the sand we had laid upon it. 

 Our work Avas now at an end, and we had only to wait for a northerly or 

 westerly wind to release us from our present " besetment," for in fact it 

 was now nothing more. Directions were therefore given for closely watch- 

 ing the motion of the ice, both from the ships as well as by regular visits 

 to the shore, at the end of every watch. 



It now becomes my painful duty to turn from these busy occupations, 

 where animation, cheerfulness, and hope prevailed, to the sad and solemn 

 scenes of sickness and death ; for with both of these did it please the 

 Almighty to visit us at this period ! William Souter, quarter-master of the 

 Fury, who in the early part of this week had complained of a slight sickness at 

 the stomach, and having been quite relieved was in consequence discharged 

 to duty, was again, on the morning of the 2lst, affected in a similar manner 

 while on deck. Mr. Ross, observing that he was unwell, desired him to go 

 below, to which at first Souter objected, saying that it would soon go off; 

 but Mr. Ross very properly, in compliance with my general orders on this 

 head, insisted on his going to Mr. Skeoch. He was soon relieved by the 

 treatment which Mr. Edwards adopted, and continued well till the night of 

 the 22d, when some dangerous symptoms having appeared and continued for Sat. 22. 

 several hours, Mr, Fisher of the Hecla was on the following day called in on 

 a consultation. In the evening of the 23d, the symptoms once more ap- Sun. 23. 

 peared to assume a less threatening aspect, and a hope was indulged that no 

 inflammation in the bowels had yet taken place, which there had before been 

 great reason to apprehend. As the ship was ready for sea, and no work of 

 any consequence remained to be done, every thing was kept as quiet as pos- 

 sible on board, that the patient might suffer no disturbance. On the 24th, Jlon. 24. 

 Souter's alarming symptoms had so much subsided, that increasing hopes 

 were entertained of his continuing to do well ; these flattering ajjpcarances, 

 however, received a sudden check about noon on the 25th, after which Tues. 25, 

 time he began rapidly though gradually to droop, and between six and seven 

 in the evening breathed his last. 



The impossibility of removing Souter from the sick bay, after the last 



2 I 2 



