GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. 45 



Some time after midnight the surgeon reported the survivors were 

 so far strengthened by stimulants and food that removal to the ships 

 was begun ; Lieutenant Greely, Sergeant Brainard, Hospital Steward 

 Bierderbick, and Private Connell to the Thetis ; Sergeants Freder- 

 icks and Elison to the Bear. 



The gale which had blown all day increased to a hurricane during 

 the night. Work with boats, therefore, was both difficult and dan- 

 gerous. With much difficulty the ships were kept head to the wind ; 

 the frequent squalls often drove them off, broadside to, and while 

 in such position, without sail, their rails would be driven almost into 

 the water. 



It was in siich weather that we were obliged to work to recover the 

 living and the dead ; and although the shore was at times hardly a 

 hundred feet away, the boats would nearly swamp in traversing that 

 short distance. 



Lieutenant Greely's permanent camp, mentioned in his record of 

 October 21, 1883, was located nearly midway between Cocked Hat 

 Island and Cape Sabine. It was situated about seventy-five to one 

 hundred feet back from the beach, on a slight elevation above the 

 water, and protected by high mountains to the southward. 



When reached, the tent was found blown down, but was raised par- 

 tially by the parties first reaching it. It contained all the survivors 

 except Long. Soon after Colwell and his party reached the tent 

 Brainard, Bierderbick, and Fredericks came out, and under their great 

 excitement and joy insisted that they were strong enough to walk to 

 the boat. But a short time was needed to demonstrate how m.istaken 

 they were, for after the strength gained in their excitement had sub- 

 sided all were carried on stretchers to the boats, except Fredericks, 

 who was assisted by two strong-armed seamen. 



Colwell reported to me on my arrival the condition in which he 

 had found the tent and the difficulty he had in giving food sparingly, 

 as directed ; the conversations that had ensued between him and 

 those rescued ; but to describe the impressive scene inside the raised 

 tent, on my arrival with Lieutenant Emory and others, is not an easy 

 task. 



Lieutenant Greely was in his sleeping bag, with his body slightly 

 inclined and resting his head upon his hand. Notwithstanding he 

 had been told who we were he appeared dazed and asked if we were 

 not Englishmen. Physically he seemed weakest, except Connell ; 

 mentally, he appeared more vigorous than the others of his party. 

 His mind wandered somewhat. His answers to questions appeared 

 disconnected and at times incoherent ; occasionally he would collect 

 himself, apparently with some effort, but would soon indicate that 

 his memory was indistinct. Pausing for a moment, as if reflecting, 

 he would say, " I am so glad to see you," and almost immediately 

 afterwards, " Those lemons your wife so kindly put up for us," &c. 



