OF THE POLAR SEA. 



41 



animals, so that the party could be sup- 

 ported whilst we were making our raft, he 

 was to cross immediately with St. Germain 

 and Beauparlant, and send the Indians to 

 us as quickly as possible with supplies of 

 meat. 



We had this evening the pain of discover- 

 ing that two of our men had stolen part of 

 the officers' provision, which had been 

 allotted to us with strict impartiality. This 

 conduct was the more reprehensible, as it 

 was plain that we were suffering even in a 

 greater degree than themselves, from the 

 effects of famine, owing to our being of a 

 less robust habit, and less accustomed to 

 privations. We had no means of punishing 

 this crime, but by the threat that they 

 should forfeit their wages, which had now 

 ceased to operate. 



Mr. Back and his companions set out at 

 six in the morning, and we started at seven. 

 As the snow had entirely disappeared, and 

 there were no means of distinguishing the 

 footsteps of stragglers, I gave strict orders, 

 previously to setting out, for all the party 



