Year: 1873

cClor of the animal prevented 1t 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 it's every movement, refrained almost en- tirely from hunting it during the Stygian darkness. It 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 attitudes 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 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 rife and seals and birds. The sun appeared on the horizon on the 18th of January for the first time after it's disappearance in November, rising at half-p eleven A. M. and setting at half-past twelve P. M. 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- maining of their provisions brought | from the vessel only two cans of pemi can and 12O 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, 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 the foe, most of which Hans and his family regaled themselves upon. The whites were at that time little deli cate, but would subsequently, they say, have eaten a 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 themen 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 and procured plenty of meat, upon which they were entirely supported after that One night very large polar bear approached their encamp- ment and commenced eating their seal skins lying about. The natives were directed to initiate the seals, lying prostrate on the ice, in order to entice the monster within convenient shoot ing distance but they were all afraid, whites and all, and fled. Tyson fired one 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 a 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 greater misfortune, perhaps, than any overlook the heroic little band of settlers on the ocean. About the end of March heavy gale drove them out to sea, broke up the foe on which they had lived so many months, and on which stood their homes of snow and newly stored stock of food. Their foe, which had been nearly five miles in cir conference, was by this untoward calamity reduced to pan of ice no more than twenty yards in diameter The consequence was that they con- cluded, by the advice of Captain Tyson, and after much altercation md differ ence of opinion, to abandon their late home and endeavor to regain the main pack. This was done on the 1st of April, and, with the foe and huts, they also abandoned all their stock of meat, Q large quantity of ammunition, cloth ing, skins, and other articles. A small portion of the meat was put into the boat, in which they now again took to the water but owing to the boat being too heavily laden, it became necessary to throw that overheard. On the 3d and 4th of April the outer edge of the main body of ice was regained, and some progress made inwards. The clements still adverse, tremendous gale and heavy sea breaking the ice into yet smaller pieces, continuously hin. dered and threatened them with de- struction, so that they were obliged to confine themselves to small pans, changing their positions from time to time as dangers necessitated. It was impossible to launch the boat, no seals could be taken, and actual starvation was inevitable.

 It was at this crisis that, on the Fist of April, fortune sent the Polar bear, which they happily obtained possession of as above described. The boat was afterwards got into the water, and they worked their way west and southwest every day in the hope of reaching some part of the Labrador coast. The only then remaining shelter was canvas tent, erected after the annihilation ot the winter camp. On the 22d of April the boat happened to become separated from this tent some seven or eight feet ) The weather, which had been fine fol some days previously, with hardly any , wind, suddenly shifted, and terrific ) storm, accompanied with sleet and snow : sprang up. More suddenly still, and without any warning sounds whatever the ice between the boat and tent burs asunder, with loud and deafening ex