, 1876-11-19

our lying close together. The weather had
turned Wuriner, and was suffering from thirst;
nut, being unable to exercise sufficient yolitlon
70 rise and break the ice, soon relapsed into
stupor again. ~ .
1T WAS broad day when became dimly con-
scious Of seeing. bI. Macdonald about three
Yards distant, and crawling off upon the ice.
His face was turned over his shoulder, hts eyes
regarding me With a gfiste1iug stare, giving me
the Impression of ali attempt on his part to .
sL1r AWAY USPEHcEIyED.
do not know that such was the object, but it
immediately filed Inc With the most intense
alarm. | at once arose, graspel tue car me-
chanically, and followed.
From this time forward inare animal instinct
regulated my movements. I retain no recollec-
tinn OF anything that ensued, saving the one all
pervading desire Of keeping close to nv COM
panion. The wish to escape merged into mere
dread Of being left. Had Mr.. Macdonald dis.
continued his efforts at any time, entertain no
doubt that should have done the same. For
tunatcly. he proved possessed OF the more vigor-
GUS vitality OF the two, aud kept on. To tho
1act M Of his having done so. I doubtless owe luy
n;Ias Thefe ne yet ;5emained about one anda half
left the spot where the night had been passed,
and 1t was 2 o'clock in the afternoon when We
we're discovered in the kitchen OF the single
dwelling at Manitoba House.
It appears that we approached the house from
LIN 4t@l. AE HItE1atQ uElB separate Qnllfln&,
connected with the main structure BY q nurrow,
covered passage, and nearest the 1akc as WI
came, We Ind entered there. It was unoceupied
qt the time OF our entrance, and, It is supposed
c0ntinueu @ go for 2: short period afterwaro.
When~1rs. Macdonald, in the discharge Of hi
ordinary domestic duties, had OCCASION to visit
the apartment, she found her husband crouch.
ing upon the floor beside the open doors of q
cupboard in which was kept the day supply Of
provisions.
He Held IN HIS HANDS A LoAF-oAKE,
small portion OF which he hal eaten. Being
unable to sit erect, he had sunk into shapc1css
heap, the loaf resting upon his knees, which
were drawn up under him, and his head fallen
upon the loaf. At the distance OF two or three
feet lay stretched upon tho floor, unable to
rise, but gazing with pathetic longing upon the
loaf in the hands of my companion. The eyes
were widely open, but l recall no exercise OF
their functions. Shakespeare describes their cou-
ditlon in the fearful instance OF Lady Mabeth:
DocioF-You see her eyes are open. :.
Gent!eaconaaH-Ay, but their sense is shut.
We made no answer when addressed, nor gave
any indications OF q consciousness Of the pres
cnce Of others. Mr.. Macdonald made feeble
resistance when the loaf was taken from him,
but q moment later seemed to have found 1t
again, aud continued an imaginary consumption
OF it until stupor supcrvencd. When returning
to consciousness, after season Of careful nurs-
ing, recall no feeling Of surprise at finding my.
self safc aud in bed. It appeared perfectly natu-
raj that 1t should be so and as If I had antfef-
pated Just such termination Of our sutferings.
Nevertheless, three weeks elapsed before was
able to totter fccbly from my couch, and months
before perfect health returned.