In the Arctic Regions. ° © 995 
cold, and the drift rendered it difficult for those in the 
rear to follow the track over the heights, whilst in the 
valleys, where it was sufficiently marked, from the 
depth of the snow, the labor of walking was propor- 
tionably great. Those in advance made as usual fre- - 
quent halts, yet being unable from the severity of the 
weather to remain long still, they were obliged to move 
on before the rear could come up, and the party, of 
course, straggled very much. 
About noon Samandré coming up, informed us that 
Crédit and Vaillant could advance no further. Some 
willows being discovered in a valley near to us, I pro- 
posed to halt the party there whilst Dr. Richardson 
went back to visit them. I hoped too, that when the 
sufferers received the information of a fire being kin- 
dled at so short a distance, they would be cheered, and 
use their utmost efforts to reach it, but this proved a 
vain hope. The Doctor found Valliant about a mile 
and a half in the rear, much exhausted with cold and 
fatigue. Having encouraged him to advance to the 
fire, after repeated solicitations he made the attempt, 
but fell down amongst the deep snow at every step. 
Leaving him in this situation, the Doctor went about 
half a mile farther back, to the spot where Crédit was 
said to have halted, and the track being nearly oblite- 
rated by the snow drift, it became unsafe for him to 
go further. Returning he passed Vaillant, who hav- | 
