"Before I come on board your vessel," said he, "will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound ?" You may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed to me from a man on the brink of destruction and to whom I should have supposed that my vessel would have been a resource which he would not have exchanged for the most precious wealth the earth can afford.

I replied, however, that we were on a voyage of discovery towards the northern pole.
Upon hearing this he appeared satisfied and consented to come on board.
Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man who thus capitulated for his safety, your surprise would have been boundless.

His limbs were nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering.

I never saw a man in so wretched a condition.

We attempted to carry him into the cabin, but as soon as he had quitted the fresh air he fainted.