218 LIEUT. PIM DISCOVERS

"INVESTIGATOR."

As may be imagined, poor Domville was in a sad dilemma as to the "ways and means" of transporting fifteen hundredweight, a distance of twentyfive miles on a broken sledge over rough ice. The situation was particularly trying to an inexperienced traveller; but by great zeal and perseverance he succeeded in saving every article, although they were obliged to leave one half of the provisions &c., on the floe, whilst they carried on the other half about five miles in advance, when they were compelled to return, in order to bring up the remainder. Too great credit cannot be awarded to Dr. Domville, for the effective manner in which he carried out this arduous and disagreeable duty.

Lieut. Pim, in the meantime, was crossing the Straits, and on the 6th April the "Investigator" was descried. Running on in advance of the sledge, Pim approached within a few hundred yards without being observed. It so happened that Captain M'Clure and Lieut. Haswell were walking to and fro on the ice alongside the ship, no doubt discussing the all-engrossing subject of abandoning the vessel, which was to have taken place on the 15th inst. (nine days from that date). Seeing a man, dressed in an unusual garb, running

EFFECT OF LIEUT. PIM'S ARRIVAL.

219

with great haste towards them, they expressed surprise, but thought, as a matter of course, the man must be one belonging to the "Investigator," chased probably by a bear or pack of wolves.

On a closer inspection they thought he must be an Esquimaux; but although labouring under this impression, Captain M'Clure naturally called out (in English), "In the name of God, who are you?" The effect of the answer, "I am Lieut. Pim of the "Resolute" (Captain Kellet), now at Melville Island," may, or rather must be conceived; for as I am aware I could not describe it, I do not intend attempting it.

Whilst this little scene was being enacted, a man from the deck saw Lieut. Pim, and indistinctly caught his answer. Rushing below he roused all hands, by calling out, "Here's a stranger alongside from some ship." The effect was astounding; the sick vied with the healthy in activity to get on deck. All was haste and confusion; in a moment the lower deck was cleared, the carpenters had dropped their tools (they were making the first coffin), and even the men on shore, digging a grave, seeing that something unusual had occurred, hurried off to share in the astonishment and delight of their excited shipmates.

Who is there that cannot readily conceive their feelings of gratitude to the Giver of all goodness, for His merciful interposition in their behalf. Without a hope of being liberated or a thought that aid was near; they contemplated their fearful march for life, with all the calmness of despair; for many must have known their strength would not have sustained them, through such privations for any lengthened period.

On Lieut. Pim's arrival on board the "Investigator," on 6th April, Captain M'Clure determined on crossing the Strait, for the purpose of having a personal interview with Captain Kellett, and on the following day, the 7th, he left the Harbour of Mercy, having given directions that a party of twenty-eight officers and men should follow him on the 15th inst. He arrived on board on the 19th, having accomplished the whole distance of 160 miles, in the short space of twelve days, a feat not surpassed by any arctic traveller under the same circumstances. He certainly possessed what might prove an advantage on a short journey, by dividing his hours equally for rest and labour, i.e. he travelled six hours, then rested for six, and so on. Twelve hours' dragging with a heavy sledge is, however, too much, even under

this system, to be continued for any length of time; for the toil and consequent fatigue would soon begin to tell, if wholesome meals, and a competent time for rest, be not allowed to re-invigorate a man after a day's hard toil. Although we certainly fell into the shade, when comparing daily distances (for with us twelve miles is considered a good day's march), they, on the other hand, were as far behind us in time, and Captain M'Clure, as well as the rest of the officers, expressed great surprise on hearing, that some of our parties had left with the full intention of being absent upwards of ninety days! None of his parties had exceeded forty, and this (by them) was considered a feat of no small importance.

Whilst on this subject, it is but fair to add, that the privations of the "Investigator's" parties far exceeded the "Resolute's." Their daily scale of provisions, whilst travelling, when compared with ours, appears absurd, and it is a matter of surprise that men could support themselves on such an allowance. It was as follows:

Pemican 14 oz. Eaten raw. Fuel not being sufficient to cook it. Biscuit 1 lb.

Chocolate 1 oz.

Sugar

1 oz.

Fuel just sufficient to warm it.

Oatmeal 2 oz.

222

UNHEALTHY STATE OF INVESTIGATORS."

66

The above was the daily allowance for each man; their fuel for seven men consisted of three gills of concentrated rum. (For our scale vide page 194). From the small quantity of fuel, it is obvious that no attempt was made to warm anything but the chocolate; the remainder of the fuel was barely sufficient to dissolve snow, to enable the men to obtain a drink of cold water, after six hours' hard labour.

The health of the officers and crew of the "Investigator" had been truly wonderful up to the date of Lieut. Pim's arrival on board her. Not a single death had taken place until the night before his reaching the Bay of Mercy. This unfortunate man had been for some time in attendance on the sick, and although he, in common with all on board, had been ailing, his death was unexpected. Indeed it was supposed he had taken medicines which were injurious. Be this as it may, the poor fellow died suddenly, and his death proved the forerunner of two others within the week.

There can be no doubt, that the effect of three deaths within so short a time, tended to increase the depression of spirits which all on board were labouring under; for it must be remembered that, with one or two exceptions, they were all suffering