The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-09

OF bOupHeru lHtlLuueh, 1HeTb Wub no
balmy breath OF night; all was cold and
checrless and desolate. Day succeeded
day; and still the darkness continued.
Gradually the eye became accustomed
TO it, and objects which ut first were
dim and indistinct could be plainly dis
cerned ut q distance. The Esquimaux
Of the party were, OF course, used to the
long, dark winter and thought lightly
Of Il, but it was not so with tho Ameri-
cans and the other members Of the ex-
pedition. Some OF them had had ex-
perience in the northern latitudes, but
never such q trying one MS this, and
their heartsmighthave well failed them
when they thought Of the drcary pros
pect which spread ont before them,
Those who read this narrative in their
comfortable homes can form but q faint
impression Of thesufferings which these
people endured. The greatest priya-
ton which the darkness occasioned was
that it put stop for the time to the
seal hunting, which to tho crew was the
chief means Of sustenance. The dark
color Of the animal prevented it from
being seen at any distance, and the pur.
suit OF it in the midst OF darkness was
attended with so many pOrils that few
had the temerity to engage in 1t. Even
the Esquimaux, who were familiar with
the habits OF the seal and knew its
every movement, refrained almost en-
tirely from hunting it during the
stygian darkness. II must not be nn-
derstood from this that the Arctic win.
ter's night does not vary in duration, as
it lasts months longer in some latitudes
than in others; but it nust be remem-
bered that drifting south, they were
gradually diminishing tho period Of
that darkness which reigned at North.
umberland Island and approaching the
extending light OF "other days" In
the latter part OF February they lived
principally on birds-dove.keys-which
were picked up between the ice cracks.
The provisions lasted until nearly
March, when the party had TO fall back
upon the rifle aud seals and birds. The
sun appeared on the horizon on the
10th Of January for the first time after
its disappearance in November, rising
at half.past eleven A. N. and setting at
half.past twelve p. NJ. Afterth sun set
there was twilight for six or seven hours.
The days after that rapidly grew longer
until Che party was picked up.
On the last Of February they had re.
manning Of their provisions brought
from the vessel only two cans Of pemi.
can and 100 pounds Of bread-the latter
wet and mouldy. One Of the boats was
cut up to make fuel to melt the ice into
water to drink. During the time they
were without blubber their provisions
were eaten cold.
The natives were very faithful in their
exertions to kill seals during the
months Of darkness; but, us said be.
fore, they rarely succeeded, the diff
culties and dangers attending tho un.
dertaking being very great. Starvation
now stared the party in the face, and
the return Of the sun, though it gave
some promise Of s1ccor, found every
one, even, the most hopeful, cheerless
and despondent. But work and action
were necessary to sustain life, and Cap
tain Tyson set an example Of energy
and industry which was initiated byall
A lot Of Esluimaux dogs drifted on
the foe, most Of which Hans and his
family rcgaled themselves upon. The
whites were at that time n little deli
cate, but would subsequently, they say,
have eaten n roast dog.
Captain Tyson says he wanted the
men to save the dogs, kill and store
them up for Bome hungry day; but
they would not, not thinking ut the
time that they would eat seals entrails,
&C., afterwards.
After the provisions gave out themen
ate not only the flesh and fat tof the seals
they were fortunate enough to get, but
also tho bones, skins, entrails, and all
intestines and appurtenances. Captain
Tyson showed two OF his front teeth,
broken by ychewing up frozen seal bones,
while at times II was considered great
luxury to get a.lump Of blubber to hold
\ in the mouth to suck, to keep out the
cold. The people confined themselves
for days together to their huts during
the cold drifts, spending the time sleep.
ing, wrapped up in skins. :
In March they got among the seals
and procured plenty OF meat, upon
which they were entirely supported
after that. One night a very large
polar bear approached their encamp-
ment and commenced. eating their seal
skins lying about. The natives were
directed to initiate tho seals, lying
PROSTATE on the ice, in order to entice
| the monster within convenient shoot
ing distance but they were all afraid,
whites and all, and fed. Tyson fred
ono shot, which wounded the bear, who
thereupon faced and attacked him.
Tyson had to retreat TO get more am.
munition, and, returning, dispatched
him. This was q welcome addition to
their scanty storehouse,. SO they took
the precaution TO save up bears flesh,
seals skins, entrails, &C., and in this
way collected enough food to last them
till the middle OF May, should they not
by that time reach some land or vessel.
But n greater misfortune, perhaps,
than any overlook the heroic little band
Of settlers on the ocean. About the end
Of March q heavy gale drove them out
TO sea, broke up the foe on which they
had lived so many months, and or
which stood their homes OF snow and
newly stored stock Of food. Their foe
which had been nearly FIVE miles in cir.
cumference, was by this untoward
calamity reduced 10 d pan Of ice nc
more than twenty yards in diameter.
The consequence was that they con
cluded, by the advice Of Captain Tyson
and after much alteration and differ
ence Of opinion, TO abandon their late
home and endeayor to regain the mair
pack. This was done on tho LIST o.