Litchfield enquirer., 1855-10-25
ATHnILLING SCENE.

Tho Journal of Commerce relates the
folIowisg DRILLING account Of an adventure
which occurred to Dr. kans's party, in the
frozen fields Of the Nortl,
SAT one time il became necessary to send
fatigue party with provisions, to assist
the main party under DR.. Kane. in an at.
tempted passage across Smiths Sound
This party was under the command OF Mr.
Brooks, first officer Of the expedition. He
was accompanied by Mr.. Wilson and other
volunteers. During their travel they found
the ice completely impenetrAbIe, and snow
drift at last swept wildly over the foes,
and IN the midst Of heavy gale from the
north. the thermometer, to their dismay,
sunk to ffty-seven degrees below Zero =
Human nature could not support the terrible
cold. Four Of the party, including Mr..
Brooks AMI MIR. Wilson, were prestrated
with frozen feet, and with great difficulty
three Of their companions, after encounter
ing great suffering, reached the ship and
announced the condition of their comrades.
Their chances of being rescued seemed ex-
tremely small. They were in the midst of
a wilderness of snow, incapable of motion,
protected only by canvas tent, and with
no landmarks by which their position could
be known. Even to drag these MANNED
men would have been under ordinary cir
cumstances work of difficulty, but to the
slender party left at the ship, il seemed to
be impossible. Dr.. Kane, with the boldness
and courage which justified the warm at
tachlnent felt towards him by all under his
command, in less than one hour organized
recruiting party, leaving on board only
those who were necessary TO relieve the
sick, and started of in the teeth Of terri
fic gale. steering by compass, TO rescue the
sufferers. After nineteen hours constant
travel, during which two Of the party faint
ed. and others repaired 10 be kept from sleep
by force, they struck the trail of the lost
party, and finally, staggering under their
burdens, one by one reached the tent, which,
was almost hidden by the snow. The
scene rs DR.. Kane entered the tent, was
affecting beyond description. The party
burst out into tears. A blubber fire was
immediately built, pemmican cooked, and
the party ate for the first time after leaving
the vessel. Ice was also melted they having
been to this time without drink Worn out
as they were, hut four hours were allowed
for the halt The MANNED Of the frozen
party were sewed up in Buffalo robes. placed
on sledges. and dragged along by their
companions, DR.. Kane walking In advance,
picking the track. Cold of the utmost Sc
verify again overlook them Bonsall and
Morton and even the Esquimaux boz, fIance.
sunk upon the snow with sleep, 1t was
only BY force that they were aroused and
made 10 proceed, as the cold seemed to have
destroyed all conception Of danger. A large
hear, met on their way. was fortunately
scared off by Dr.. Kane, By the simple
waving Of HE hand. They reached the
ship after walk OF six y two hours. still
dragging their companions behind them. but
inseasibte. DR.. Hayes, the Intelligent sur
geon Of the ship, from whom we obtained
the particulars Of this fearful adventure,
received the returning party. Two Of the
number died Of their injuries and two
Others underwent amruta,ion, who are
now restored 10 perfect health.
The condition oil those who dragged the
sick, was most lamensable Their memory
Tor time was entirely gone, and the ship,
in the midst Of mutiering deliriun,, rcsem-
bled an hospital. The surgeon and one
remaining attendant, were in sole charge Of
the ship. In this state Of seini-madness
the sick rcu,ained for two or three days. but
afterwards they entirely recovered. and the
party under DR.. Kane started three weeks
afterwards and resumed their labors Ia the
field.
Intrepidi,y like this has never been sur
passed. It's spoken Of with emotion. even
now. by the sloalesi hearta in the expedi-
ton" 81