Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-14

Mr.. Melville resumed his narrative before the
Jeannette board of inquiry this morning and de-
tailed the efforts OF his party to reach civilization
after their first Intellectual effort to induce the ma
tives to pilot them to Bulun Pushing out from
the landing where they first met the natives they
found further progress impossible, except to the
eastward, which they deemed clearly out OF their
course. The weather became very cold and dis
agreeable with high wind, snow and hail The
tent poles were driven down into the mud and the
boat made fast. All hands passed
MOST TERRIBLE NIGHT,
and suffered greatly from cold and frost bites
The next day they started back to the huts at
Cape Balkla. About pm they reached point
near where they supposed the huts were, and, dis
embarking, built a fire and had tea. Early in the
evening the huts were reached, and four
natives who were found there assisted in
getting Ing the nstvsss gear up to the huts One
head man OF the village. The natives furnished
fish and veniSOn for supper.
THE START TO BULCN.
The next morning the head man of the village
was made to understand that the party wished to
go to Bulun. He finally consented to pilot them,
and the party started out, heading south and
east On the second night some deserted huts
were reached. in which the party camped. The
pilot explained that owing to shoal water he could
not take them directly to the village which he de-
sired to reach. On the 25th Of September we ar
rived at the village Of Arru where the pilot an
nounced that he was unable owing to his condt-
t1on to go further. The head man OF the village
however, detailed q young native to conduct them
TO the village or JamavalOch where they arrived
On the afternoon OF September 26th This was
THE FIRST INHABITED VILLAGE
the party had seen. 1t was situated on a sand
spit at the base OF one OF the mountains bordering
the Lena river proper. The majority of the party
were SO badly rost-bitten they could hardly walk.
Only three or four were able to do any work what
ever. The natives assisted the people up to the
nuts ana help"d unload the boat. Witness was
or the head man. After good meal OF boiled
goose. all went to sleep. At 10 o'clock they were
ahs sd and , given supper OF fish, after which
storming, and the head man said he couli not
start for Buun that day. The boat provisions
the natives that he must depend upon them for
provisions. About 10 a. IN. it cleared, and soon
after start was made.
IN THE LENA RIVER.
Passing around the cape they entered the
Lena river proper about pm, the wind
having in the meantime freshened. The
boat grounded, and 1t seemed impossible
To round point and keep up with the canoes
nhere fn IVA was vr, good, deal Of young ice and
frozen In, knowing that the boats crew, in their
exhausted condition, could not make march over
the whole party returned to the village.
cold and the wind was flowing sas Very hard ey WIZ
Sled up to the huts again. This was on Septem-
Der 21th, 1881 The boat was drawn up on the
bank. and witness told Mr.. Danenhower to see
That the Goat was not broken Up or injured in an
way.
THE CASE OF COLLINS.
The judge advocate then proposed series Of
questions as follows:
Question.-What, II you know, was the particu-
lar overt act for which Mr.. Collins in March, 1880
was, as you say, suspended from duty?
AnSWer.-Of my own knowledge do not know.
as Was not present In the Cabin at the time.
SPIRITS OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN.
Question.-In what spirits were the officers and
men when they started on the retreat and gen
orally during the march, and when, II at any
time. d1d they show any deSpondency7
AnSwer-They were ill ia the best OF spirits
when they started en- the retreat and during the
march. They were more thorightful during the
ten days camp. and drew closek TO each other in
more serious discussion OF their prospects OF
reaching land and safety.
Question-Was there q fairk division OF labor
made among all the ships company during the
Answer-Yes, sir, with the exception OF those
.0n the sick list or suspended from duty.
COLLINS ABLE TO DO DUTY WHEN SUSPENDED.
Question.-Was Mr.. Collins fully able to work
at the time whea ne was suspended from duty?
Answ2r-I thiak he was.
QuestlOn.-IIow much out OF the set course was
Bennett Island when the party headed for IL?
Ans"er-I can't state certainty. II was some
the westward to reach Il.
question Can you state about how much7
AnsweE--fossoly about point or two OF the
compass :