.ei' )

104 ‘ OUR ISLAND STORY '

denly heightened to a gale; and the gale Was accompanied by sleet. Fearing that the boat would be swamped, the men put back again to the running ice. On the ice they drifted still further to the East- ward. Meanwhile the field on which they were marooned had been reduced 1n size to the area of about half an acre. » In the shadows, of that Sunday evening, the boat was again turned up on its side; and, sheltered by it Mr. Johnson, at the re- quest of his fellow studeiit, opened young Haszard 8 Bible, and read the 107thgpsalm together with other portions of Sciiptuie aflording comfort to those in danger and distress. He added an exhortation;

' and Mr. Weir engaged in prayer. The crew then Sheltered the boat

With snow and made themselves and the passengers as comfortable as possible 1n the circumstances. But the party passed a second miserable night, lying and sitting in the running ice. Cold and un- comfortable as they were, with danger on every hand, it was with very g1 eat difficulty that the fatigued passengers and crew were kept from sleeping.

On Monday morning they found themselves opposite St. Peter 3 Island, near the middle of the Strait. They lightened the boat by

' leaving on the we all the baggage except the mails and the clothing

that might be needed. Then they tried to reach the mainland. In the course of the day young Haszard became greatly chilled. After- wards, he felt better. The frost of the previous night had hardened the we and improved the travelling. Fairly good progress was made. In the forenoon Mr. Weir became so greatly exhausted that he had to enter the boats. A little later young Haszard was also placed 111 the boat and wrapped up in all the clothes that were available. The crew and young Johnson toiled on until twelve o clock in the day

. Then, thoroughly exhausted, they killed a small Spaniel dog belong-

ing to Mr. Weir, and partook of his raw flesh and warm blood.

At dark. on Monday evening, young Haszard expired. The party kept on moving as fast as possible towards the shore. There they arrived on Tuesday morning. They landed at a place then known as Folearbor, about five miles from Wallace, Nova Scotia. There was no dwelling within two miles. Messrs. Cameron and Mc— Rae, with young Johnson, started at once to obtain relief and assist— ance, and succeeded in reaching the home of Mr. Nicholson. By