120 SLEDGE BREAKS IN. [September, 



such delays, we were compelled to encamp at evening, 

 still distant from Village Point. 



On the 6th we experienced a fine, sunny, lovely day, 

 and pushed forward at 8.30; but, still retarded by the 

 difficulties before alluded to, it was not until 8.30 P.M. 

 that our advanced party, with the boat alone, reached 

 the point. Having pitched the tent, a party was sent 

 back to bring up the sledge. Unfortunately they had no 

 officer to lead them, got on to young ice,- broke in, 

 and very nearly lost one of the crew ; providentially it 

 did not prove fatal to all, as, from their account of the 

 matter, they acted very injudiciously, by simultaneously 

 rushing to the edge of the broken ice, to save their ship- 

 mate, instead of forming a connected chain to more solid 

 ice. I almost instantly detected this misfortune, by 

 noticing a single man on the outline of the snow, wring- 

 ing his hands and throwing off his boots. Mr. Loney 

 and others were despatched in aid, but noticing the 

 remainder of the party showed their heads, I detained 

 the cook, to prepare hot tea, etc., which the man who 

 had been immersed very much needed, reaching the 

 tent, assisted by two others, in a very exhausted state. 

 He was soon clad in dry clothes, a dose of hot tea and 

 spirits administered, and packed in his bag ; and by 

 the time he got warm, a pint of hot chocolate and pem- 

 mican were ready, to complete him for his slumbers. 



September 7. The morning fine, but temperature 

 18' 5. Moved up to the crest of the peninsula, cross- 

 ing recent tracks of bears, foxes, and deer ; the latter 

 either very numerous, or a pair had been making very 

 extensive gambols, tearing up the grass, etc. 



