ted by the
bushes. In a few minutes they were both sound asleep. Providentially,
just at that time, some of the people who had been sent forward returned
with the welcome news that a fire had been lighted not more than a
quarter of a mile off. Renewed attempts were therefore made to rouse
the sleepers. But the negro was past help. Every effort failed to
awaken him. With Dr Solander they were more successful, yet, though he
had not slept five minutes he had almost lost the use of his limbs, and
the muscles were so shrunken that the shoes fell off his feet.
Staggering and stumbling among the slush and snow, more dead than alive,
he was half carried, half dragged by his comrades to the fire.

Meanwhile the other negro and a seaman were left in charge of the
unfortunate black servant, with directions to stay by him and do what
they could for him until help should be sent. The moment Dr Solander
was got to the fire, two of the strongest of the party who had been
refreshed were sent back to bring in the negro. In half an hour,
however, they had the mortification to see these two men return alone.
They had been unable to find their comrades. This at first seemed
unaccountable, but when it was discovered that the only bottle of rum
belonging to the party was amissing, Mr Banks thought it probable that
it had been in the knapsack of one of the absent men, that by means of
it the sleeping negro had been revived, that they had then tried to
reach the fire without waiting for assistance, and so had lost
themselves.

It was by this time quite dark, another heavy fall of snow had come on,
and continued for two hours, so that all hope of seeing them again alive
was given up, for it must be remembered that the men remaining by the
fire were so thoroughly knocked up that had they gone out to try to save
their comrades they would in all probability have lost their own lives.
Towards midnight, however, a shout was heard at some distance. Mr
Banks, with four others, went out immediately, and found the seaman who
had been left with the two negroes, staggering along with just strength
enough to keep on his legs. He was quickly brought to the fire, and,
having described where the other two were, Mr Banks proceeded in search
of them. They were soon found. The first negro, who had sunk down at
the same time with Dr Solander, was found standing on his legs, but
unable to move. The other negro was lying on the snow as insensible as