f it, dreading the
consequences of remaining longer where we were; but out boats would
not have carried above one-third, and I conceived the public service
would have suffered from allowing them to separate. We had, also,
several desertions--in consequence, I believe, of hunger, and the
melancholy prospect before them; two of the deserters were brought
back, and one returned delirious, after five days' absence, with his
feet in a state of gangrene, having had only one small cake to eat
during that time. Those still missing must have perished in the woods,
from the accounts of the men who were brought back.

'On Sunday, the 20th November, we were relieved from the most painful
state of anxiety by the arrival of a small schooner, with a
fortnight's provisions, from Quebec, and information that a transport
had been procured, and was equipping for us, which nothing but the ice
setting in would prevent coming down; and on the 24th I had the
satisfaction of receiving a letter by the government schooner,
announcing a further supply of provisions, with some blankets for the
people; it, however, then blew so hard, with a heavy fall of snow,
that she was obliged to take shelter under Bie. On the 25th the
schooner returned, when we embarked, and were carried to the opposite
side of the river, where the transport was expected,--the pilot
conceiving it unsafe to bring the ship nearer to us at that season of
the year.'

'Captain Shephard concludes his narrative in paying the following
tribute to the discipline and good conduct of his crew:--

In justice to the officers and crew, it now becomes my duty, and a
very pleasing part thereof, to bear testimony to the particular
perseverance with which they bore the cold, hunger, and fatigue,
whilst endeavouring to save the ship; and when that idea was given up,
in saving the stores with the dire prospect before them of being cut
off from all supplies had the winter set in, the ice rendering all
communication impracticable during that season of the year.'

The sufferings and privations endured by the officers and crew of the
Banterer, during such trying circumstances, have been ably described
in the above narrative of Captain Shephard. From the 29th of October,
to the 24th of November, a period of twenty-seven days, these men,
with little hopes of succour, had borne, with almost unexampled
fortitude, not only hunger and cold, but, to use the words of the
surgeon, 'a considerable number