GREELY'S EXPEDITION (1883) 199 



this date, and the moon had chiefly to be depended on for 

 light. Cape Isabella was reached on the 7th November. 

 The first march of fourteen hours on the return journey was 

 a very exhausting one, and had to be done on a cup of tea 

 and no food. During this march Elison froze both his 

 hands and feet. Frederick and Rice lay on either side of 

 Elison, and tried in many ways to impart heat to his 

 frosted limbs. Next day Frederick had to support and 

 half carry Elison. On the 9th, in order to save Elison, it 

 became necessary to abandon the meat. On the 10th, 

 Rice started for the camp at Cape Sabine to obtain 

 assistance. He had to travel 25 miles almost in total 

 darkness, and he accomplished the distance in sixteen hours. 

 During this time, and until assistance arrived, Frederick 

 and Lynn tried to keep Elison warm, but in a few hours 

 the sleeping-bag became frozen so hard that they could not 

 turn over, and had to lie in one position eighteen hours. 



Elisors feet and hands were frozen solid, and his face 

 was little better, yet he arrived at Cape Sabine alive, 

 although in a very critical condition. The rescue party, 

 enfeebled through want of food, made a journey of nearly 

 40 miles in forty-four hours, over very rough and heavy ice, 

 exposed to temperatures ranging from 19° to 34° below 

 zero, and almost in darkness. Sad to relate, this party 

 of rescuers and rescued, with the exception of two, all 

 afterwards perished. 



On the 4th November it was found that some one had 

 been tampering with the stores. On the 9th, Lockwood 

 discovered an opened but full can of milk hidden away. 

 About the middle of November, Greely began to give 

 lectures, so as to interest the men and kill time. On 

 4th December, Greely states that he heard Dr. Pavy 

 taking bread from Elisors bread-can, but did not charge 

 him with it. A considerable number of foxes were killed 

 during December, and allowed a slightly increased ration. 



