44 CAPTAIN COOK 



morning to study the flora of the country, and to 

 climb a mountain which they could see a short 

 distance away. In the course of their expedition 

 they were overtaken by intense cold, surprising 

 for the time of year, which corresponds, in these 

 parts, to the European summer. Buchan was 

 seized with an epileptic fit, and the party was 

 obliged to halt, since it was impossible for the 

 unhappy man to drag himself any further. A 

 fire was lighted, and the more exhausted mem- 

 bers were left with the sick man, who shortly 

 recovered. The scientists and the surgeon con- 

 tinued on their way. Snow began to fall and 

 night came on. It was impossible to return on 

 board to sleep. The cold became keener and 

 keener. Irresistible numbness overtook each of 

 them. Dr. Solander warned his companions: 

 "Anyone who sits down," he told them, "will go 

 to sleep, and those who do so will never wake 

 up." He himself was unable to fight against the 

 desire for sleep. He stretched himself on the 

 ground and fell asleep for several minutes. 

 When awakened by his friend Banks, he had 

 almost lost the use of his limbs and his muscles 

 were so contracted that his shoes fell off his feet. 

 At last they were able to resume their march. 

 The two black servants who had lagged behind, 

 and who had drunk freely of the rum which had 

 been put in their charge, also fell into a pro- 



