OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 
83 
wind still blowing hard from the westward, with incessant snow, and the 1819. 
thermometer at 28°, This weather continued without intermission during 
the day, and our apprehensions for the safety of our people were excited to 
a most alarming degree, when the sun began to descend behind the western 
hills, for the third time since they had left the ship ; I will not, therefore, 
attempt to describe the joyful feelings we suddenly experienced, on the 
Griper’s hoisting the signal appointed, to inform us that her men, or a part of 
them, were seen on their return. Soon after we observed seven persons 
coming along the beach from the eastward, who proved to be Mr. Nias 
and his party, with four out of the seven men belonging to the Griper. 
From the latter, consisting of the corporal of marines and three sea- 
men, we learned that they had lost their way within a few hours after 
leaving the ship, and had wandered about without any thing to guide 
them till about ten o’clock on the following day, when they descried the 
large flag-staff, at a great distance. At this time the whole party were 
together ; but now, unfortunately, separated, in consequence of a difference 
of opinion respecting the flag-staff, which Mr. Fife mistook for a smaller one 
that had been erected some days before at a considerable distance to the east- 
ward of our present situation ; and, with that impression, walked away in a 
contrary direction, accompanied by two of his men. The other four who had 
now returned, (of whom two were already much debilitated,) determined to 
make for the flag-staff. When they had walked some distance and were enabled 
to ascertain what it was, one of them endeavoured to overtake Mr. Fife, but was 
too much fatigued, and returned to his comrades. They halted during a part 
of the night, made a sort of hut of stones and turf to shelter them from the 
weather, and kindled a little fire with gunpowder and moss to warm their 
feet; they had never been in actual want of food, having lived upon raw 
grouse, of which they were enabled to obtain a quantity sufficient for their 
subsistence. In the morning they once more set forward towards the flag- 
staff, which they reached within three or four hours after Lieutenant Beechey 
had left some provisions on the spot : having eaten some bread, and drank a 
little rum and water, a mixture which they described as appearing to them per- 
fectly tasteless and clammy, they renewed their journey towards the ships, 
and had not proceeded far when, notwithstanding the snoAV which was con- 
stantly falling, they met with footsteps which directed them to Mr. Nias and 
his party, by whom they were conducted to the ships. 
The account they gave us of Mr. Fife and his two companions, led us to 
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