POLAR BEARS 



Next morning a strong east wind, driving a wild surf in 

 upon the shore, made it impossible to launch, but we were 

 thankful during the delay to have a supply of meat on hand 

 with which to satisfy the cravings of hunger. Advantage 

 was also taken of the opportunity afforded for obtaining moss. 

 Though five or six miles distant, a quantity of this fuel was 

 gathered, and several large kettles of meat boiled — almost 

 sufficient, it was hoped, to take us to Churchill. But alas 

 for our hopes ! The gale which had arisen increased in fury 

 until it became a terrific storm, accompanied by sleet and 

 snow, and this continued for five long days. 



One night the tent occupied by my brother and I was 

 ripped up the back by the force of the gale, and with diffi- 

 culty kept from being carried away. So piercingly cold was 

 the wind that without shelter we must soon have perished. 

 We were already numb with cold, but in the midst of snow 

 and darkness I managed to find in my bag a sail needle and 

 some twine, and then having lowered the tent to the ground, 

 while my brother held it, I stitched up the rent. When the 

 tent was again raised, our bedding was buried in snow, but 

 the blankets being our only comfort, the drifts were shaken 

 off, and in a half-perished condition we again crept beneath 

 them. 



Besides the discomforts occasioned by the storm at this 

 camp, I suffered a serious experience of poisoning. Our cook, 

 thinking to give my brother and myself a treat, provided for 

 our dinner a dish of fried liver. Perhaps because of its rank 

 flavor, my brother partook sparingly and so partially escaped, 

 but I ate of it freely and at once became fearfully ill. For 

 a whole day I lay in the tent, retching and straining, though 

 throwing off nothing but froth, until I thought I should have 

 died. My brother urged me to take some brandy, a little of 

 which still remained in a flask we had brought with us, but 

 for some time I declined. Towards evening, however, find- 

 ing that I would have to take something or give up the ghost, 

 I yielded to his advice, and soon began to recover. I have 



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