The poor men found themselves then without shelter against the hurricane. Hatteras attempted to raise the tent, but it was impossible, so severe was the wind, and they had to shelter themselves beneath the canvas, which was soon covered with a thick layer of snow; but this snow prevented the radiation of their warmth and kept them from being frozen to death.
The storm lasted all night; Bell, when he was harnessing the half-starved dogs, noticed that three of them had begun to eat the leather straps; two were very sick and seemed unable to go on. Still, they set out as well as they could; they had sixty miles between them and the point they wished to reach.
On the 26th, Bell, who was ahead, shouted suddenly to his companions. They ran towards him, and he pointed with astonishment to a gun resting on a piece of ice.
"A gun!" cried the doctor.
Hatteras took it; it was in good condition, and loaded.
"The men of the Porpoise can't be far off."
Hatteras, as he was examining the gun, noticed that it was of American make; his hands clinched nervously its barrel.
"Forward!" he said calmly.
They continued to descend the mountains. Simpson seemed deprived of all feeling; he had not even strength left to moan.