OF THE POLAR SEA 



323 



the lake with the canoes. In the afternoon a heavy fall of snow 

 took place, which was succeeded by sleet and rain. The north-east 

 gale continued, but the thermometer rose to 39°. 



June 25. — The wind having abated in the night, we prepared for 

 starting at an early hour. The three canoes were mounted on 

 sledges, and nine men were appointed to conduct them, having the 

 assistance of two dogs to each canoe. The stores and provisions were 

 distributed equally among the rest of our men, except a few small 

 articles which the Indians carried. The provision consisted of only 

 two bags of pemmican, two of pounded meat, five of suet, and 

 two small bundles of dried provision, together with fresh meat suf- 

 ficient for our supper at night. It was gratifying to witness the 

 readiness with which the men prepared for and commenced the 

 journey, which promised to be so very laborious, as each of them 

 had to drag upwards of one hundred and eighty pounds on his 

 sledge. Mr. Back having chosen the moment of our setting off for 

 sketching the annexed accurate and interesting picture of our 

 mode of travelling on the ice, further description of it is unne- 

 cessary. 



Our course led down the main channel of the lake, which varied 

 in breadth from half a mile to three miles ; but we proceeded at 

 a slow pace, as the snow which fell last night, and still lay on the 



• 



lake, very much impeded the sledges. Many extensive arms branched 

 off on the north side of this channel, and it was bounded on the 

 south by a chain of lofty islands. The hills on both sides rose to 

 the height of six hundred or seven hundred feet, and high steep 

 cliffs were numerous. Clusters of pines were occasionally seen in 

 the valleys. We put up, at eight P.M., in a spot which afforded 

 us but a few twigs for fuel. The party was much fatigued, and 

 several of the men were affected by an inflammation on the inside 

 of the thigh, attended with hardness and swelling. The distance 

 made to-day was six miles. 



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