gret the levels
they had left, on which the sledge rolled so easily. Now they were
obliged to drag it with all their strength. The dogs were worn out,
and had to be helped; the men harnessed themselves along with them,
and wore themselves out too. They were often obliged to unload the
provisions in order to get over a steep hill, whose frozen surface
gave no hold. Some passages ten feet long took hours to clear. During
the first day they only made about five miles on that land, so well
named Cornwall. The next day the sledge attained the upper part of
the cliffs; the travellers were too exhausted to construct their
snow-house, and were obliged to pass the night under the tent,
enveloped in their buffalo-skins, and drying their stockings by
placing them on their chests. The consequences of such a state of
things may be readily imagined; during the night the thermometer went
down to 44 degrees below zero, and the mercury froze.

The health of Simpson became alarming; an obstinate cold, violent
rheumatism, and intolerable pain forced him to lie down on the sledge,
which he could no longer guide. Bell took his place; he was not well,
but was obliged not to give in. The doctor also felt the influence
of his terrible winter excursion, but he did not utter a complaint;
he marched on in front, leaning on his stick; he lighted the way;
he helped in everything. Hatteras, impassive, impenetrable,
insensible, in as good health as the first day, with his iron
constitution, followed the sledge in silence. On the 20th of January
the weather was so bad that the least effort caused immediate
prostration; but the difficulties of the ground became so great that
Hatteras and Bell harnessed themselves along with the dogs; the front
of the sledge was broken by an unexpected shock, and they were forced
to stop and mend it. Such delays occurred several times a day. The
travellers were journeying along a deep ravine up to their waists
in snow, and perspiring, notwithstanding the violent cold. No one
spoke. All at once Bell looked at the doctor in alarm, picked up a
handful of snow, and began to rub his companion's face with all his
might.

"What the deuce, Bell?" said the doctor, struggling.

But Bell went on rubbing.

"Are you mad? You've filled my eyes, nose, and mouth with snow. What
is it?"

"Why," answered Bell, "if you've got a nose left, you owe it to me."

"A nose?" said the doctor, putting his hand to his face.

"Yes, Mr. Cla