Fresh life came to them as they learned that they were nearly up to the Great Fish River, and they bartered away some spoons and forks, Sir John Franklin's star, part of a watch and some other metal articles to the Eskimo for a recently killed seal. Had they waited longer with the natives, they might have obtained more food and have recovered somewhat from their fatigue, but in the mind of each was the memory of their stricken comrades toiling on behind, and hoping from day to day for the arrival of relief. Personal feelings were forgotten before that memory, and the gallant little party resumed its way, fighting with all the dauntless bravery of heroes to win help for their weaker friends--fighting till their limbs refused to move, till their starving bodies were numbed and frozen. Then, falling in their own footsteps, they passed away, one by one, silent and uncomplaining, to the list of Britain's honoured dead. CHAPTER III THE SEARCH FOR FRANKLIN Captain Parker's Report--Government offers a Reward--Dr. Rae's Expedition--Captain McClure's Voyage in the _Investigator_--Hardships and Perils--The Meeting with the _Herald_--Lady Franklin still Hopeful--Sir F. L. McClintock's Expedition in the _Fox_ with Lieutenant Hobson--Their Sad and Fatal Discoveries--Lieutenant Schwatka recovers the Body of Lieutenant Irving. The enthusiasm which was aroused over the departure of Sir John Franklin's expedition gave place to a deep national anxiety as the years passed without any word being received of its whereabouts. On October 4, 1849, the _Truelove_ arrived at Hull from Davis Straits, and her commander, Captain Parker, reported that he had heard from some Eskimo that the _Erebus_ and the _Terror_ had been seen in the previous March fixed in the ice, and apparently abandoned in Prince Regent's Inlet. No confirmation was ever obtained for this report, but it served to excite public anxiety still more, and expeditions began to be organised for the relief of the missing explorers. In all, twenty-one expeditions were sent, of which eighteen were British and three American, to search the neighbourhood where it was anticipated Sir John and his gallant band would be. Coals, provisions, clothing, and other necessaries were deposited at different spots in the hopes that they would be found by, and be of use to, the castaways. But, as has already been stated, none were able to give succour to the men for whose use they were intended.