98 TENT EQUIPAGE. \_All,(/USt, 



ing four feet on its sides, and not more than one foot 

 above the surface of the ground. This was our house ! 

 I recollect something, in former voyages, of ptarmigan 

 being mistaken for musk-oxen, but they were more dis- 

 tant and on the snow. 



We now pushed forward for a long, low island, about 

 five miles to the northward, appearing in the distance as 

 a mere gravel bank ; but this proved to be a deception, 

 of an opposite character. Fortunately, we Avere favoured 

 by a narrow lane of water, of which, having launched our 

 boat, and stowed our sledge and cargo therein, we made 

 good use, although at any moment the slightest move- 

 ment of the ice might have pinched her to atoms. We 

 reached it about four P.M., very glad to encamp for the 

 night, and await the arrival of our party. This being a 

 new possession, the colours were duly displayed ; it was 

 found to be at least eighty feet in height ! 



Our mode of encampment, etc., not having been ex- 

 plained in any works published, I shall here give a rough 

 outline of the tent, equipment, etc. The tent is very si- 

 milar to that of American hunters, with this exception, 

 instead of two forked poles, and one horizontal, resting 

 in the forks, with the sides pegged down, the extremi- 

 ties of these are framed by two boarding-pikes, forming 

 the pitch or sheers at each end, and a horsehair (clothes) 

 line stretched over these forks, and well secured to the 

 sledge at the back, and by a pickaxe in front, keep all 

 steady, so long, at least, as they hold. Instead of peg- 

 ging, the sides are well banked with snow, which re- 

 tains the heat, and keeps them pretty secure, if well 

 performed ; but if not, the breeze is sure to pene- 



