OF THE POLAR SEA. 



61 



lying on his back, benumbed with cold, and 

 incapable of being roused. The stoutest 

 men of the party were now earnestly 

 entreated to bring him to the fire, but they 

 declared themselves unequal to the task ; 

 and, on the contrary, urged me to allow 

 them to throw down their loads, and pro- 

 ceed to Fort Enterprise with the utmost 

 speed. A compliance with their desire 

 would have caused the loss of the whole 

 party, for the men were totally ignorant of 

 the course to be pursued, and none of the 

 officers, who could have directed the march, 

 were sufficiently strong to keep up at the 

 pace they would then walk; besides, even 

 supposing them to have found their way, 

 the strongest men would certainly have 

 deserted the weak. Something, however, 

 was absolutely necessary to be done to 

 relieve them as much as possible from their 

 burdens, and the officers consulted on the 

 subject. Mr. Hood and Dr. Richardson 

 proposed to remain behind, with a single 

 attendant, at the first place where sufficient 

 wood and tripe de roche should be found for 



