Provisions of the Natives getting low.--New Calamity threatened. --Health and Strength failing.--Necessity of seeking other Quarters.--The only alternative.--Report of a Wreck.-- Parties leave.--Dreadful Traveling and Exposures.--Report by the Natives that our Men were frozen to Death.--An Instance of Treachery.--The Captain and his Party leave.--The Weather.-- Traveling.--Thoughts of Home.--Preservation.--One of the Party unable to walk.--Left behind.--Found by the Natives.-- The Fate before us.--Division of the Biscuit.--Another fails, sits down, and is frozen to Death.--Reflections.--Captain Norton encourages his only remaining Companion.--Singular Appearance upon the Ice.--Dog Teams.--Part of Mr. Fisher's Company.--Encouragement to our Minds.--Natives unwilling to help us.--The Danger of Riding.--Last Effort.--The Music of Barking Dogs.--Our Manner of Traveling.--Dreadful Condition of our Feet.--Captain Norton falls exhausted.--Native Kindness. In February, it became apparent to all of us, that the provisions of the natives were getting low; we saw it in our daily fare--diminished in quantity, if not poorer in quality. A new and unexpected calamity now threatened us. One misfortune after another had followed us since the wreck of the ship; deliverance had failed us when it was just within our reach; disappointment and untold deprivation had taken its place; but now, as if our past trials were only preparatory for another,--one more frightful than any we had contemplated or looked upon,--the question was presented to us in its most distressing form, whether we should remain among the natives, and, from present appearances, _starve_ to death, or whether, while any strength remained, we should make one more, and perhaps the last effort to reach some other settlement, where we might get provisions enough to live upon. Our prospects never looked more gloomy than at this time. We were well assured there were huts down along upon the coast, but how far we could not tell; and therefore it was a most hazardous journey, and altogether uncertain whether any one of us would live to reach them. We were at this time very much reduced in flesh and strength in consequence of short allowance, and therefore greatly incapacitated to endure the labor and fatigue of traveling through the snow, or to withstand for any considerable season the intense cold which then prevailed. And still further, we were aware there would be no protection for us during the long night we should be out; or, it may be, a number of days and nights we should find no shelter. How many fearful odds were against us! Of this fact we were certain: to remain where we were, we should all perish by degrees with starvation; we came therefore to the conclusion, we could but die if we should venture to travel to the next settlement.