the attempt. They were occupied the whole of the next day in
tearing down the logs of which the store-house was built, but the
mud plastered between them was so hard frozen that the labour of
separation exceeded their strength, and they were completely exhausted
by bringing in wood sufficient for less than twelve hours
consumption.
I found it necessary, in their absence, to remain constantly near
Adam, and to converse with him, in order to prevent his reflecting
on our condition, and to keep up his spirits as far as possible. I also
lay by his side at night.
On the 3d the weather was very cold, though the atmosphere was
cloudy. This morning Hepburn was affected with swelling in his
limbs, his strength, as well as that of the Doctor, was rapidly declining
; they continued, however, to be full of hope. Their utmost
exertions could only supply wood, to renew the fire thrice, and on
making it up the last time we went to bed. Adam was in rather
better spirits, but he could not bear to be left alone. Our stock of
bones was exhausted by a small quantity of soup we made this
evening. The toil of separating the hair from the skins, which in
fact were our chief support, had now become so wearisome as to
prevent us from eating as much asjve should otherwise have done.
November 4.—Calm and comparatively mild weather. The Doctor
and Hepburn, exclusive of their usual occupation, gathered some
tripe de roche. I went a few yards from the house in search of
bones, and returned quite fatigued, having found but three. The
Doctor again made incisions in Adam’s leg, which discharged a
considerable quantity of water, and gave him great relief. We read
prayers and a portion of the Hew Testament in the morning and
evening, as had been our practice since Dr. Richardson’s arrival;
and -I may remark that the performance of these duties always
afforded us the greatest consolation, serving to re-animate our hope
in the mercy of the Omnipotent, who alone could save and deliver us.
On the 5 th the breezes were light, with dark cloudy weather, and
some snow. The Doctor and Hepburn were getting much weaker,
and the limbs of the latter were now greatly swelled. They came
into the house frequently in the course of the day to rest themselves,
and when once seated, were unable to rise without the help of one
another, or of a stick. Adam was for the most part in the same low
state as yesterday, but some times he surprised us by getting up and
walking with an appearance of increased strength. His looks were
now wild and ghastly, and his conversation was often incoherent.
The next day was fine, but very cold. The swellings, in Adam’s
limbs having subsided, he was free from pain, and arose this morning
in much better spirits, and spoke, of cleaning his gun ready for
shooting partridges, or any animals that might appear near the
house, b u t his tone entirely changed before the day was half over;
he became again dejected, and could scarcely be prevailed upon to
eat. The Doctor and Hepburn were almost exhausted. The.
cutting of one log of wood occupied the latter half an hour; and the
other took as much time to drag it into the house, though the
distance did not exceed thirty yards. I endeavoured to help the
Doctor, but my assistance was very trifling. Yet it was evident
that, in a day or two, if their strength should continue to decline at
the same rate, I should be the strongest of the party.
I may here remark that owing to our loss of flesh, the hardness of
the floor, from which we were only protected by a blanket, produced
soreness- over the body, and especially those parts on which the
weight rested in lying, yet to turn ourselves for relief was a matter
of toil and difficulty. However, during this period, and indeed all
along, after the acute pains of hunger, which lasted but three or four
days, had subsided, we generally enjoyed the comfort of a few hours
sleep. The dreams which for the most part, but not always accompanied
it, were usually (though not invariably) of a pleasant character
being very often about the enjoyments of feasting. In the