ing to the fort. Hepburn had noticed
certain acts which left no doubt of Michel's intention to murder his
companions, and Richardson anticipated the murderer's aim.

After this Richardson, emaciated and half dead, with Hepburn a perfect
skeleton, found Franklin as bad as themselves. Utterly unable to find
any food they gnawed skins and bones. They were on the point of death
when on the 7th of November assistance came. Three Indians sent by Back
appeared with food. They afforded material assistance, and finally
conducted the remainder of the party to the next fort. The survivors
reached York Factory in July, 1822, having been absent from it just
three years.

Many Arctic expeditions were sent out after this for the north-west
exploration. Commander Lyon, in the _Hecla_, has been already
mentioned. We shall hear of the _Blossom_ in connection with Sir John
Franklin. The _Victory_, under Captain John Ross and Lieutenant Ross,
Captain Back in the _Terror_ and in boats, the Hudson Bay Company's
_employes_ in 1836-39, and Doctor John Rae, 1846-47, all added their
"notable voyages" to the record of Arctic expeditions, and were we to
detail them there would be a sameness in the narratives, though the
adventurous spirit breathed through them all. But later on we will
mention Doctor Kane's expedition.

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We will at present confine ourselves to Sir John Franklin's expeditions
undertaken in 1825-27 and 1845-50, with the search made for him by
various vessels.

Not contented with what had been done, and was being done, by Parry and
others in the North, Franklin undertook to conduct a second expedition,
which Captain Beachey was appointed to meet by going round Cape Horn,
and through Behring's Strait to the eastward, so as to unite with
Franklin, who hoped to come overland. Four expeditions, including
these, were fitted out; but we have already seen what Parry did.
Captain Lyon's attempt to survey the coast failed; so we will follow
Franklin in his second venture.

The explorer was again accompanied by Doctor Richardson and Lieutenant
Back; Mr Kendall and Mr Drummond also went as members of the "staff."
Their object was to descend the Mackenzie River to the sea. There it
was determined the party should divide, one portion going eastward, the
other westward to Behring's Strait.

The whole expedition reached Fort Chepeywan once again in July, 18