OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 
149 
severely. In their anxiety to save the 4ipping-needle, which was standing 
close to the stove, and of which they knew the value, they immediately ran 
out with it; and Smith, not having time to put on his gloves, had his fingers 
in half an hour so benumbed, and the animation so completely suspended, that, 
on his being taken on board by Mr. Edwards, and having his hands plunged 
into a basin of cold water, the surface of the water was immediately frozen 
by the intense cold thus suddenly communicated to it ; and, notwithstanding 
the most humane and unremitting attention paid to them by the medical gen- 
tlemen, it was found necessary, some time after, to resort to the amputation 
of a part of four fingers on one hand and three on the other. 
