OF THE POLAR SEA. 



47 



having witnessed repeated failures, they 

 began to consider the scheme as hopeless. 

 At this time Dr. Richardson, prompted by 

 a desire of relieving his suffering compa- 

 nions, proposed to swim across the stream 

 with a line, and to haul the raft over. He 

 launched into the stream with the line 

 round his middle, but when he had got a 

 short distance from the bank, his arms be- 

 came benumbed with cold, and he lost the 

 power of moving them ; still he persevered, 

 and, turning on his back, had nearly gained 

 the opposite bank, when his legs also be- 

 came powerless, and to our infinite alarm 

 we beheld him sink. We instantly hauled 

 upon the line and he came again on the 

 surface, and was gradually drawn ashore in 

 an almost lifeless state. Being rolled up in 

 blankets, he was placed before a good fire 

 of willows, and fortunately was just able to 

 speak sufficiently to give some slight direc- 

 tions respecting the manner of treating him. 

 He recovered strength gradually, and 

 through the blessing of God was enabled in 

 the course of a few hours to converse, and 



