LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
533 
corroborated by another party, who was one of the sufferers on 
the expedition, in consequence of the culpable neglect and in¬ 
difference that were shown to the maintenance of the health and 
comfort of the crew. This conduct appears in a still more 
extraordinary light, and greatly to the disrepute of Capt. Ross, 
when it is contrasted with his public declaration of those very 
men, representing them, as having served him with a constancy, 
which was never shaken under the most appalling prospects, 
and to whose fidelity and obedience he was so greatly indebted. 
Capt. Ross, therefore, on his own showing stands guilty, either 
of the blackest ingratitude, or he has exhibited himself in a 
character, the most unfit and improper to conduct an expedition, 
the successful result of which, depended so much upon a strict 
and incessant attention to the health and comfort of the crew 
under his command. 
In the afternoon of the 27th, a party of four were sent to the 
bay for fish, and on their way they met Commander Ross on his 
return to the ship; he arrived about midnight, worn down with 
fatigue and hunger. On the following day, the 28th, the party 
of four returned, but two of them were so completely knocked 
up, that they could not draw the sledge any further; they, 
therefore, left it about three miles from the ship. In the course 
of the day, the party, that had been with Commander Ross, 
returned, bringing with them Anthony Buck on a sledge, 
who, on their journey to the ship, had had three fits, one of 
which, it was feared would terminate his existence; in fact, all 
the men, who were of Commander Ross’ party, were more or 
less indisposed, arising from the unwholesomeness of their food, 
and their continual exposure to wet and cold, without the means 
of obtaining the slightest relief. At half past three, six men were 
sent for the sledge, that was left behind by the party arrived 
in the morning ; and at ten at night, nine men and two sledges 
were despatched for the last cargo of fish. At 6, on the fol¬ 
lowing morning, two of the men returned completely done up, 
on which Mr. Light was despatched with another man, to the 
assistance of the party, and returned on board, at 10 p. m. 
The men, who were able, were now employed about the fish. 
