432 THE FRANKLIN SEARCH— lS4Q-o\. 



surrounding trees, strain their tethers to reach the scraps thrown to them, 

 and occasionally send forth their long, dismal howl, only to render the scene 

 more dreary." 



On the 20th, the dogs fairly gave in, and it became necessary to leave 

 the sledge behind. Pim accordingly placed it en cache beneath a cover- 

 ing of branches and snow. He must now trust to his snow-shoes and his 

 physical vigour. All day the party travelled rapidly toward a village well- 

 known to the Eskimo who had been hired as guide, and late at night they 

 reached it — only, however, to find it deserted. There was now only one 

 day's provisions left ; and from eighty to ninety miles must yet be traversed 

 before Norton Sound can be reached. Next day a good pace was kept up, 

 and a village was reached at ten o'clock at night. No natives, however, 

 came forth to greet the travellers, " and," says Pim, " we were soon made 

 aware that no living beings were to be found within the huts. A search 

 was instantly commenced, but only a little train oil rewarded the trouble, 

 which, with a few scraps of leather, served as a meal for the dogs ; and, 

 scanty as it was, proved their salvation. Our own condition was by no 

 means enviable ; for when it is considered that twice the usual amount of 

 food is required in these regions, our slight meal, from the remnants of the 

 provisions, appeared meagre indeed." On the following day, the guide 

 proved to be at fault respecting the route, and the party started away across 

 the sea-ice, "trusting, in a great measure, to chance." The travellers walked 

 all night, and at daylight were so exhausted, that at the risk of being frost- 

 bitten, they were compelled to lie down on the ground. "As the day ad- 

 vanced, the guide declared that he could see a village. With great exertion 

 we crawled to the hut, without, however, seeing any signs of life. Just 

 as despair began to obtain the mastery, and induce an apathy as to our fate, 

 a woman appeared, who inspired us with new life. We were soon ensconced 

 in warm furs, and regaled with fish, train oil, and berries — to hungry men a 

 most acceptable feast. The poor dogs, now in their sixth day of abstinence, 

 were not forgotten ; they were allowed an unhmited amount of fish, pur- 

 chased with a clasp knife, which I happened to carry with me. Bosky at 

 this place informed me that he was unable to walk any farther. The scurvy 

 was breaking out in an alarming manner ; his legs were covered with ulcers, 

 having been frost-bitten while he was resting the last time, and now pre- 

 sented a shocking appearance ; moreover, he had had a severe fall on start- 

 ing from the last village. Notwithstanding, he kept up with us during the 

 two-and-twenty hours that we were on the journey, and I cannot sufficiently 

 admire the quiet endurance with which he bore his sufferings. Late in the 

 evening the men returned from a hunting excursion. They had been lucky 

 in the capture of a deer. We were, however, too sleepy to participate in the 

 feast, especially as the fish sauce — i.e., train oil — of the meal partaken did 



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