THE WORLD OF ICE. 207

shook and buffeted the men. They protested that
they did not feel cold—“they were quite warm, and
only wanted a little sleep.” He saw that it was
useless to contend with them, so there was nothing
left for it but to pitch the tent.

This was done as quickly as possible, though with
much difficulty, and the men were unlashed from the
sledge and placed within the tent. The others then
crowded in, and falling down beside each other were
asleep in an instant. The excessive crowding of the
little tent was an advantage at this time, as it tended
to increase their animal heat. Captain Guy allowed
them to sleep only two hours, and then roused them
in order to continue the journey ; but short though the
period of rest was, it proved sufficient to enable the
men to pursue their journey with some degree of spirit.
Still it was evident that their energies had been over-
taxed ; for when they neared the ship next day, Tom
Singleton, who had been on the look-out, and advanced
to meet them, found that they were almost in a state
of stupor, and talked incoherently—sometimes giving
utterance to sentiments of the most absurd nature
with expressions of the utmost gravity.

Meanwhile, good news was brought them from the
ship. Two bears and a walrus had been purchased
from the Esquimaux, a party of whom—slcek, fat,
were encamped on

 

oily, good-humoured, and hairy
the lee side of the Dolphin, and were busily engaged
in their principal and favourite occupation—eating !