THE WORLD* S WONDERS. 617 



were assigned various duties in connection with the removal of 

 the living and the dead, their effects, etc. The doctors were 

 left to administer stimulants to Lieut. Greely, Sergeant Elison, 

 Sergeant Brninerd, Hospital-Steward Bierderbick, Sergeant 

 Fredericks and Private Connell, who were found alive in this 

 wretched tent. 



All the survivors, except Long, were found in the tent, but 

 Brainerd, Bierderbick and Fredericks subsequently emerged and 

 insisted that they were strong enough to walk to the boat. It 

 required but a short time to demonstrate their mistake, and they, 

 with the others, were carried upon stretchers. 



By 11 P. M. the survivors were so far strengthened by stimu- 

 lants that all were removed to the ships Lieut. Greely, Sergeant 

 Brainerd, Hospital-Steward Bierderbick and Private Connell to 

 the Thetis; Sergeants Fredericks and Elison to the Bear. The 

 gale, which had blown all day, increased to a hurricane during 

 the night. Work with boats, therefore, was both difficult and 

 dangerous. With much difficulty the ships were kept head to 

 the wind. The frequent squalls often drove them off, broadside 

 to, and while in such position, without sail, their rails would be 

 driven almost into the water. Although the shore was distant, 

 at times, hardly one hundred feet, the boats would nearly swamp 

 in traversing that short distance. 



The work of exhuming the bodies of the dead for transporta- 

 tion to the United States was carried on under the orders of 

 Lieut. Emory, and so energetically and promptly performed that 

 the ships were able to start for Payer Harbor at four o'clock on 

 the morning of June 23. 



Commander Schley describes as follows the impressive scene 

 inside Greely 's tent : 



"Lieutenant Greely was found in his sleeping bag, his body 

 inclined forward and head resting upon his left hand. The Book 

 of Common Prayer was open and held in his right hand. He 

 appeared to be reading prayers to Private Connell, whose condi- 

 tion was most desperate and critical. He was cold to the waist ; all 

 sensation of hunger gone ; was speechless and almost breathless ; 



