l899-'00 TRANSACTIONS 67 



the mouth of the McKenzie River for the nearest Hudson Bay 

 Companj-'s post, while the third party was to remain with the 

 ship. While four men with heavy hearts were digging the grave, 

 a figure was observed approaching on the ice from the northward. 

 The figure proved to be Lieut. Pirn of H. M. " Resolute " from 

 Melville Island ' ' who had most providentially reached the ' ' In- 

 vestigator" after a most severe and harassing journey of 28 days." 

 Dr. Armstrong, who died in July 1899, describes the event : "I 

 cannot attempt, he says, to convey any idea of the scene which 

 took place on board or the expressions of joy and gladness which 

 were so abundantly poured forth when the intelligence that flew 

 with the rapidity of lightning from st^m to stern became known. 

 It was at first pronounced either a mistake or a joke. Indeed 

 the mind for the moment appeared confused as if unable to com- 

 prehend the truth of what was heard and several strange involun- 

 tary questions were hastily muttered, asked and answered in a 

 breath. At length when thoroughly aware of the reality and 

 fully aroused by a shout of joy raised by a few men on deck, an- 

 nouncing the approach of the strangers, there was a sudden and 

 simultaneous rush to the hatchways, the weak and the strong, 

 the maimed, the halt and the blind following each other, amazed 

 and agitated, as fast as their enfeebled limbs could bear them un- 

 til the deck was gained and they were afforded an opportunity of 

 verifying what they had just heard. Some as doubting the 

 reality of what they saw, rushed out on the ice and were not 

 satisfied till they met lyieut. Pim, touched him, handled him and 

 heard him speak when they no longer doubted. He was the first 

 of our countrymen we had seen or whose voice we had heard for 

 three long and dreary years. The sledge soon followed and the 

 party were received by three as hearty cheers as ever came from 

 the lungs of British sailors. No words could express the feeling 

 of heart-felt gladness which all experienced at this unlooked for, 

 this most providential arrival. Relief was now at hand ; succour 

 had reached us." 



I have heard from Bedford Pim's own lips the story of the 

 meeting, told with modesty and yet with conscious pride that he 

 had been the instrument of the rescue. 



The 25th August, 1854, is a day long to be remembered in 

 the annals of Franklin District. The crews of the ' ' Investiga- 



