OUR ISLAND STORY 107 '

mometer' registered 16 degrees above zero and rain- fell for a short time. After midnight the wind changed and there was a hurricane from the Northwest. The mercury in the theimometer fell to 16/ below zero towards daylight on Thursday mOIning. Then, in the darkness, with but a few sparks of fire to warm them and a few drops of water to slake their thirst their sufferings really began. The third boat had to be broken up and the wood used as fuel for a fire, and the newspapers in the mail with their bags were added. But the fire was too feeble to warm limbs and bodies famished with hunger and thirst, chilled by expOsure to the storm, and freezing.

A relief party composed of John Hughes, (in charge) James Toole, James Wise, James Hennesey, James Donovan, Alexander McLeod and Michael Dooley was equipped by the Department of Marine in this city under direction of Mr Artemas Lord, Agent of the Department of Marine and Fisheries; but they returned without affording any relief or even seeing the boats.

At dawn on Thursday, land was seen and supposed to be Cape Traverse. But a stream of lolly through which it was impossible to pass ran between the party and the Cape. The running ice on which they were, drifted towards Crapaud. Occasionally glimpses of the shore were caught and hopes brightened. Then the snow began to drift and the cold to bite more fiercely than ever. Strong men then lay down in the boats to die. But about three o’clock in the after- noon of Thursday the drift cleared away and the Presbyterian Church at DeSable was sighted. With renewed hope the men made a last effort to reach the‘shore, and late in the evening they gained the board ice. Then, with much difficulty, they made their way through tractless snow drifts to the hospitable residence of Mr and Mrs. Angus McPhail. '

A thicket stood between the farmhouse and the shore. Several of the men took refuge in it while Captain Muncey Irving went to the farmhouse for assistance. Those who wereat hand to help Started as quickly as possible to the search. They found the men scattered in many directions. ThoSe left in the thicket stood silent and motionless leaning against the trees, others stood alone, their arms extended 1n happy mood, and some lay prostrate 1n the snow. At the house of Mr. McPhail, the greatest kindness possible was ex-

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