In the Arctic Regions. 345 
low spirits. -The severe shock occasioned by the sud- 
den dissolution of our two companions rendered us 
very melancholy. Adam became low and despondent, 
a change which we lamented the more, as we had per- 
ceived he had been gaining strength and spirits for the 
two preceding days. Iwas particularly distressed by 
the thought that the labor of collecting wood must 
now devolve upon Dr. Richardson and Hepburn, and 
that my debility would disable me from affording them 
any material assistance ; indeed both of them most 
kindly urged me not to make the attempt. They 
were occupied the whole of the next day in tearing 
down the logs of which the store-house was built, 
but the mud plastered between them was so hard 
frozen that the labor of separation exceeded their 
strength, and they were completely- exhausted by 
bringing in wood sufficient for less than twelve hours’ 
consumption. 
I found it necessary in their absence, to remain 
constantly near Adam, and to converse with him, in 
order to prevent his reflecting on our condition, and 
to keep up his spirits as far as possible. I also lay 
by his side at night. 
On the 3d the weather was very cold, though-the 
atmosphere was cloudy: This morning Hepburn was 
affected with swelling in his limbs, his strength, as 
well as that of the Doctor, was rapidly declining ; 
15# 
