PREMEDITATED PLOT. 
73 
Bill. They were intensely anxious to get together 
this morning, and I was equally resolved to prevent 
any communication between them. I did this so 
ingeniously that they did not suspect my motive, by 
devising some outside duty for one or the other of 
them and keeping his comrade in the plot at work 
under my own eye. Their impatience and cunning 
little resorts to procure the chance of a word in private 
were quite amusing. It might be very far otherwise if 
they could manage to rob us of our dogs and gain the 
Netlik settlements. 
“I hope the danger is over now. I shall keep the 
whole thing to myself; for, situated‘as we are, even 
the frustration of a mutinous purpose had best be con¬ 
cealed from the party. 
“ Petersen brought in to-day five ptarmigan, a cheer¬ 
ing day’s woi’k, promising for the future, and allowing 
me to give an abundant meal to the sickest, and some¬ 
thing to the sick. This is enough to keep up the 
health-working impression of the fresh-meat diet. 
“ March 20, Tuesday.—This morning I received in¬ 
formation from Stephenson that Bill had declared his 
intention of leaving the brig to-day at some time 
unknown. John, being now really lame, could not 
accompany him. This Stephenson overheard in whis¬ 
pers during the night; and, in faithful execution of his 
duty, conveyed it to me. 
“ I kept the news to myself; but there was no time 
to be lost. William, therefore, was awakened at 6 a.m. 
—after my own night-watch—and ordered to cook 
