OF THE POLAR SEA. 167 



not thus providentially found provision, I 

 feel convinced that the next twenty-four 

 hours would have terminated my existence. 

 But this good fortune in some measure re- 

 novated me for the moment, and putting 

 out my whole strength I contrived to collect 

 a few heads, and with incredible difficulty 

 carried them singly about thirty paces to 

 the fire. 



Darkness stole on us apace, and I be- 

 came extremely anxious about Beauparlant; 

 several guns were fired, to each of which 

 he answered. We then called out, and 

 again heard his responses though faintly, 

 when I told St. Germain to go and look for 

 him, as I had not strength myself, being 

 quite exhausted. He said that he had al- 

 ready placed a pine branch on the ice, and 

 he could then scarcely find his way back 

 but if he went now he should certainly be 

 lost. In this situation I could only hope 

 that as Beauparlant had my blanket, and 

 every thing requisite to light a fire, he 

 might have encamped at a little distance 

 from us. 



