176 
THE SLEDGES MOVING. 
heave together. But in the end I had the satisfaction, 
before twenty-four hours were over, of seeing our little 
arks of safety hauled upon the higher plane of the ice¬ 
foot, in full trim for ornamental exhibition from the 
brig; their neat canvas housing rigged tent-fashion 
over the entire length of each; a jaunty little flag, 
made out of one of the commander’s obsolete linen 
shirts, decorated in stripes from a disused article of sta¬ 
tionery, the red-ink bottle, and with a very little of the 
blue-bag in the star-spangled corner. All hands after 
this returned on board: I had ready for them the best 
supper our supplies afforded, and they turned in with 
minds prepared for their departure next day. 
They were nearly all of them invalids, unused 
to open air and exercise. It was necessary to train 
them very gradually. We made but two miles the first 
day, and with a single boat; and indeed for some time 
after this I took care that they should not be disheart¬ 
ened by overwork. They came back early to a hearty 
supper and warm beds, and I had the satisfaction of 
marching them back each recurring morning refreshed 
and cheerful. The weather, happily? was superb. 
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