﻿1848. DENSE FOG. 329 



Sept.Wth. — During a fine night we enjoyed 

 the light of a full moon ; but towards the morning 

 the wind veered to the north-west, and a moist, 

 chilling fog enveloped us. Our raft could support 

 three at a time, and enabled us all to cross by 

 seven o'clock. A fresh arrangement of the loads 

 was made here ; and, to lighten them as much as 

 possible, I deposited my packet of dried plants and 

 some books in a tree, intending to send for them in 

 the winter. After breaking up the raft to recover 

 the lines by which we had fastened it, we piled the 

 logs up on the bank to attract the attention of 

 Hope's party, should we happen to miss them. 



Our course was shaped directly across the country 

 for Dease's River; and as we ascended the high 

 grounds the fog became more dense, so that by 

 noon we could not see beyond two or three yards. 

 We steered by the compass, Mr. Rae leading, and 

 the rest following in Indian file. I kept rather in 

 the rear to pick up stragglers ; but, though we 

 walked at a much brisker pace than usual, there 

 was little loitering. The danger of losing the 

 party made the worst walkers press forward. On 

 the hills the snow covered the ground thickly ; and 

 it is impossible to imagine any thing having a more 

 dreary aspect than the lakes which frequently 

 barred our way. We did not see them until we 

 came suddenly to the brink of the rocks which 



