After the two expeditions were sent out, those who remained behind became much more low spirited, and the symptoms of scurvy increased.

In these circumstances Captain Guy taxed his inventive genius to the utmost to keep up their spirits and engage their minds.

He assumed an air of bustling activity, and attached a degree of importance to the regular performance of the light duties of the ship that they did not in reality possess apart from their influence as discipline.

The cabin was swept and aired, the stove cleaned, the fittings dusted, the beds made, the tides, thermometers, and barometers registered; the logs posted up, clothes mended, food cooked, traps visited, etc., with the regularity of clockwork, and every possible plan adopted to occupy every waking hour, and to prevent the men from brooding over their position.

When the labours of the day were over, plans were proposed for getting up a concert, or a new play, in order to surprise the absentees on their return.