repeated solicitations he made the attempt, but fell down amongst the deep snow at every step. Leaving him in this situation, the Doctor went about half a mile farther back, to the spot where Crédit was said to have halted; but the track being nearly obliterated by the snow drift, it became unsafe for him to go further. Returning he passed Vaillant, who, having only moved a few yards in his absence, was unable to rise, and could scarcely answer his questions. Being unable to afford him any effectual assistance, he hastened on to inform us of his situation. When J. B. Belanger had heard the melancholy account, he went immediately to aid Vaillant, and found him lying on his back, benumbed with cold, and incapable of being roused. The stoutest men of the party were now earnestly entreated to bring him to the fire, but they declared themselves unequal to the task.”
As there was every reason to fear that other men would speedily sink under the combined pressure of famine, fatigue, and inclement weather; and as those who were strongest urged Captain Franklin to allow them to throw down their loads, and push on with their utmost speed for Fort Enterprise, though they knew not a foot of the way, and none of the officers were sufficiently strong to keep up at the pace they would then walk; Dr. Richardson and Mr. Hood generously proposed to remain, with a single attendant, at the first place where sufficient wood and tripe de roche should be found for ten days’ consumption, and that Captain Franklin should proceed as expeditiously as possible to the house, and thence send them immediate relief. They strongly urged, that this arrangement would contribute to the safety of the rest of the party, by relieving them from the burden of a tent and several other articles, and that they might afford aid to Crédit, if he should unexpectedly come up. Captain Franklin was distressed beyond description at the thought of leaving them in such a situation, but there was no other alternative, and therefore he reluctantly acceded to their wishes. This resolution was communicated to the men, who promised, with great appearance of earnestness, to return to those officers upon obtaining the first supply of food. The remainder of the 6th of October was spent without even their usual nauseous repast, as the weather did not permit the gathering of tripe de roche; and, says Captain Franklin, “the painful
