The shortening of the ration, and the resulting hunger, broke down the moral sense of some, and by one device or another, food was stolen.
Only two or three were guilty of this crime--an execrable one in such an emergency--and one of these, Private Henry, was shot by order of Lieutenant Greely toward the end of the winter.

Even before Christmas, casualties which would have been avoided, had the party been well-nourished and strong, began.

Ellison, in making a gallant dash for the cache at Isabella, was overcome by cold and fatigue, and froze both his hands and feet so that in time they dropped off.

Only the tender care of Frederick, who was with him, and the swift rush of Lockwood and Brainard to his aid, saved him from death.

It tells a fine story of the unselfish devotion of the men, that this poor wreck, maimed and helpless, so that he had to be fed, and incapable of performing one act in his own service, should have been nursed throughout the winter, fed with double portions, and actually saved living until the rescue party arrived, while many of those who cared for him yielded up their lives.