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this station, it was necessary to cross an arm of the sea, and to have the assistance of boats, placed for transporting the natives to that settlement. Two days elapsed before the customary signals for the boats to come over could, from the state of the weather, be observed—and the miserable Dutchmen were compelled to remain during that time in the open air, without provisions. Several, it is understood, had fallen victims to this aggravated distress, while others died after reaching the settlement; and the survivors exhibited the lamentable effects of the intense frost, either by the loss of part or the whole of their toes and fingers, or of their limbs. Five or six, who had escaped unhurt, proceeded farther southward to Leevly, from which they got on board British ships this summer, our informant being of the number.
On the passage he conducted himself much to Captain Hogg’s satisfaction, and expressed his gratitude for the kindness and attention he had experienced. Soon after he came on board, the shipmates beheld him with astonishment, after getting a biscuit, deliberately cut off a piece of blubber from a whale they had just killed, and placing it on the biscuit, eat it with the greatest relish; although, after being a short time accustomed to the ship’s provisions, he nauseated that species of food as much as the other seamen. A Dutch ship had been sent to Four Island Point to bring home the more wretched part of the crew remaining there, the pitiable condition to which, it is said, they were reduced, being such as to render it difficult to have them removed.
