GREELY'S EXPEDITION (1884) 205 



shot a bear, which probably saved the lives of some of the 

 party ; and on the following day Long shot a small seal. 

 On the 13th the ration was increased to a pound of meat 

 daily. On the 20th it had to be reduced to 10 oz. 

 Towards the end of April, Greely was seriously ill, and in 

 danger of dying. Henry, taking advantage of his illness, 

 stole alcohol, and became hopelessly drunk. 



On the 29th April, Jens and Long were out hunting, 

 and watched a seal lying on an isolated floe. They hoped 

 the floe would drift in to the fast ice, but after a long 

 delay, Jens decided to try and reach it in his kayak. He 

 crossed one lead, dragged his kayak across the ice, and 

 entered a second. Long, who was looking on, saw Jens 

 suddenly begin to paddle rapidly, and the next moment 

 the kayak began to sink. Jens made an effort to get up 

 on the ice, but it was new and could not bear his weight, 

 and he was drowned. The kayak was probably cut when 

 being dragged over the ice. 



On the 3rd of May the last of the bread was used, and 

 only nine days 1 meat remained. On the 6th a violent 

 scene took place between Greely and Dr. Pavy regarding 

 the doctor's reports. On the 12th, Greely decided to 

 divide the last of the regular rations, as he was afraid that 

 one or two of the worst men of the party might appro- 

 priate the remaining food, which was only sufficient to last 

 till the 15th of May. 



The want of provisions rapidly told on the starved men. 

 Ellis died on the 19th, Ralston on the 23rd, and Whisler 

 on the 24th. They now tried to feed on saxifrage 

 {Saxifraga opposittfol'ia). On the 24th they had for 

 dinner a handful of saxifrage, two or three spoonfuls of 

 shrimps, and a pint and a half of tea. On the 26th there 

 was a severe storm, which prevented Brainard going to 

 obtain shrimps, and in consequence stews had to be made 

 of the seal-skin thongs used for lashing the sledge. 



