National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-06-06

I
no light to our unfortunate wanderers
II was darkness unlike the darkness
OF southern latitudes. There was nj
balmy breath of night; nll was cold ant
cheerless and aesolate. Day succeeded
day, and still the darkness continued
Gradually the eye became accustomed
to it, and objects which at first wer,
dim and indistinct could be plainly dis
cerned at distance. The Esquimau,
of the party were, Of course, used to thu
long, dark winter and thought lightly
OF 1T, but it was not so with the Ameri
cans and the other members of the ex'
pedition. Some of them had had ex
perience in the northern latitudes, but
never such n trying one Us this, and
their hearts might have well failed them
when they thought of the dreary pros
pect which spread out before them
Those who read this narrative in theil
comfortable homes can form but a faint
impression of thesuflerings which these
people endured. The greatest priva-
tion which the darkness occasioned was
that it put a stop for the time to the
seal hunting, which to the crew was the
chief means of sustenance. The dark
cclor 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 perils that few
had the temerity to engage in it. 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. 1t must not be un-
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 must be remem-
bered that drifting south, they were
gradually diminishing the period Of
that darkness which reigned at North
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 and 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. NJ and setting at
half-past twelve p. N. After the sun set
there was twilight for six or seven hours.
The days after that rapidly grew longer
until the party was picked up.
On the last of February they had re-
naming 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
q Oh f,,n1 10 alt tha int
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, as said be-
fore, they rarely succeeded, the diff
culties and dangers attending the 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 succor, 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 by all. |
A lot of Esquimaux dogs drifted on
Vic HOt, luOSt VI WlilCil IldllS LIS !
family regaled themselves upon. The |
whites were at that time little deli
cate, but would subsequently, they say,
have eaten roast dog.
Captain Tyson says he wanted the
men to save the dogs, kill and store
them up for some hungry day; but
they would not, not thinking at the
time that they would eat seals entrails,
&C., afterwards.
After the provisions gave out them
ate not only the flesh and fat of the seals
they were fortunate enough to get, but
also the bones, skins, entrails, and all
intestines and appurtenances. Captain
Tyson showed two of his front teeth,
broken by chewing up frozen seal bones,
while at times it was considered great
luxury to get 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
md procured plenty of meat, upon
which they were entirely supported
after that One night a very large
polar bear approached their encamp-
nent and commenced eating their seal
skins lying about. The natives were
directed to initiate the seals, lying
orostrate on the ice, in order to entice
he monster within convenient shoot
ng distance but they were all afraid,
whites and all, and fed. Tyson fred
me shot, which wounded the bear, who
hereupon faced and attacked him.
Tyson had to retreat to get more am
and, returning, dispatched
lim. This was welcome addition to
heir scanty storehouse, so they took
he precaution to save up bears flesh,
eals' skins, entrails, &C, and in this
way collected enough food to last them
ill the middle of May, should they not
~ that time reach some land or vessel.
But a greater misfortune, perhaps,
han any overlook the heroic little band
# settlers on the ocean. About the end
# March heavy gale drove them out
o sea, broke up the foe on which they
lad lived so many months, and on
which stood their homes of snow and
ewly stored stock of food. Their foe,
which had been nearly five miles in cir
was by this untoward
alamity reduced to pan of ice no
nore than twenty yards in diameter.
he consequence was that they con-
luded, by the advice of Captain Tyson,
nd after much alteration and differ
nee of opinion, to abandon their late ,
ONE and endeavor to regain the main
ack. This was done on the 1st of
lpril, and, with the foe and huts, they .
lso abandoned all their stock of meat,
large quantity of ammunition, cloth
ng, skins, and other articles. A small
ortion of the meat was put into the
oat, in which they now again took to !;