OF THE POLAR SEA. 



431 



themselves unequal to the task ; and, on the contrary, urged me to 

 allow them to throw down their loads, and proceed to Fort Enter- 

 prise 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 taken, 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 

 ten days' consumption ; and that I should proceed as expeditiously 

 as possible with the men to the house, and thence send them 

 immediate relief. They strongly urged that this arrangement would 

 contribute to the safety of the rest of the party, by relieving 

 them from the burden of a tent, and several other articles ; and 

 that they might afford aid to Credit, if he should unexpectedly 

 come up. I was distressed beyond description at the thought of 

 leaving them in such a dangerous situation, and for a long time 

 combated their proposal ; but they strenuously urged, that this step 

 afforded the only chance of safety for the party, and I reluctantly 

 acceded to it. The ammunition, of which we had a small barrel, 

 was also to be left with them, and it was hoped that this deposit 

 would be a strong inducement for the Indians to venture across the 

 barren grounds to their aid. We communicated this resolution to 

 the men, who were cheered at the slightest prospect of alleviation of 

 their present miseries, and they promised with great appearance of 

 earnestness to return to those officers, upon the first supply of 

 food. 



The party then moved on; Vaillant's blanket and other neces- 



