CHAPTER VIII.

Provisions of the Natives getting low.--New Calamity threatened. --Health and Strength failing.--Necessity of seeking other Quarters.--The only Alternative.--Report of a Wreck.-- Parties leave.--Dreadful Traveling and Exposures.--Report by the Natives that our Men were frozen to Death.--An Instance of Treachery.--The Captain and his Party leave.--The Weather.-- Traveling.--Thoughts of Home.--Preservation.--One of the Party unable to walk.--Left behind.--Found by the Natives.-- The Fate before us.--Division of the Biscuit.--Another fails, sits down, and is frozen to Death.--Reflections.--Captain Norton encourages his only remaining Companion.--Singular Appearance upon the Ice.--Dog Teams.--Part of Mr. Fisher's Company.--Encouragement to our Minds.--Natives unwilling to help us.--The Danger of Riding.--Last Effort.--The Music of Barking Dogs.--Our Manner of Traveling.--Dreadful Condition of our Feet.--Captain Norton falls exhausted.--Native Kindness. 149