202 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



shrimps, and next day about a pint was obtained. By 

 this date the idea of crossing Smith Sound had been given 

 up, as the strength of the party was insufficient for the 

 task. On the 24th of March the entire party were in 

 great danger of perishing from the fumes of the alcohol- 

 lamp used in cooking. The chimney had been closed 

 with rags, as usual, so that as much heat as possible 

 might be retained in the hut at night, and the cooks had 

 forgotten to remove the rags before beginning cooking. 

 Several of the men were rendered unconscious, but soon 

 recovered in the air outside the hut. It was remarked 

 afterwards by all the men who got out of the hut, that 

 every one attempted to assist his neighbour except Henry, 

 who held himself aloof, evidently caring for no one but 

 himself. Greely and several of the men suffered severely 

 from frost-bites as the result of the exposure. After 

 order was restored, and the breakfast cooked, it was found 

 that a piece of bacon had been stolen. Jens had seen 

 Henry take the bacon and conceal it within his shirt. 

 Just before dinner, Henry complained of being sick, and 

 soon after he vomited. Frederick, on examination, found 

 that the vomited matter contained a considerable quantity 

 of undigested bacon. A general investigation of Henry's 

 conduct was made on the 25th, which clearly established 

 his guilt, not only of the bacon, but that he took a double 

 allowance of rum after the theft. Greely relieved Henry 

 from duty, and he was prohibited from leaving his sleep- 

 ing-bag except under the supervision of one of his 

 comrades. Two days later, 10 oz. chocolate reserved for 

 Elison was stolen, and Henry was suspected. 



For the first time in five months a ray of sunlight 

 entered the wretched hut on 25th March. On the 27th, 

 Long was fortunate in obtaining thirty-three dovekies. On 

 the 28th, Rice got 27 lb. of shrimps, Long secured four- 

 teen more dovekies, and Christiansen shot a ptarmigan. 



