598 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



journey with the temperature at 25 below zero. Elison was un- 

 able to help haul the load, which had been increased by their 

 sleeping bags and camp gear. His hands and feet were soon 

 frozen, and Fredericks was obliged to help him along. Kice and 

 Linn struggled manfully with the sled, but the whole party 

 was soon forced by exhaustion to go into camp. The men passed 

 another horrible night. They had no tent and their sleeping 

 bags were frozen so stiff that it required an hour's .work to unroll 

 them. The men gradually worked themselves into their bags as 

 the heat of their bodies thawed them out. A strong wind, drift- 

 ing snow, and their exhaustion prevented them from restoring the 

 circulation in their frozen companion. Words cannot describe 

 the horrors of that night. When they broke camp they were 

 obliged to abandon the meat or their companion, and they chose 

 the former. Elison, noble fellow, begged them to leave him to 

 die and save their meat and his starving companions. They left 

 the meat cached on the ice and also a rifle as a mark, and pushed 

 ahead to Eskimo Point, where they could secure shelter in their 

 old camp. After reaching the camp they worked from 7 in the 

 evening until 3 in the morning, and partially restored the circu- 

 lation in Elison's hands and feet. They dried his clothes and 

 made him warm tea, the only warm food they had been able to 

 secure, the wind preventing them from lighting a fire. Early 

 the next day Elison was able to walk, and was sent ahead while 

 the others packed and hauled the sled. They soon overtook 

 him, he having strayed from the road. His hands and feet 

 were frozen and he was scarcely able to see. His cheeks and 

 nose were also frozen. The men took turns at leading and help- 

 ing him, while two hauled the sled. At last it required all three 

 at the ropes, and they tied Elison's arms to the back of the sled 

 and hauled him in that way. His legs were stiff and he would 

 frequently fall and be dragged several yards before his cries 

 were heard. Linn began to fail, and it was decided that Rice 

 should push ahead while Fredericks remained with Elison and 

 Linn. Rice, with a little frozen beef, started for assistance. The 

 other men remained in their sleeping bags twenty-four hour*, 



