OF THE POLAR SEA. 



329 



and the river flowed with a more gentle current, in a wider channel, 

 through a level and open country consisting of alluvial sand. In 

 one place the passage was blocked up by drift ice, still covered to 

 some depth with snow. A channel for the canoes was made for 

 some way with the hatchets and poles ; but on reaching the more 

 compact part we were under the necessity of transporting the 

 canoes and cargoes across it ; an operation of much hazard, as the 

 snow concealed the numerous holes which the water had made in 

 the ice. This expansion of the river being mistaken by the guide 

 for a lake, which he spoke of as the last on our route to the sea, 

 we supposed that we should have no more ice to cross, and therefore 

 encamped after passing through it, for the purpose of fitting the 

 canoes properly for the voyage, and to provide poles, which are not 

 only necessary to strengthen them when placed in the bottom, but 

 essentially requisite for the safe management of them in dangerous 

 rapids. The guide began afterwards to doubt whether the lake he 

 meant was not further on, and he was sent with two men to examine 

 into the fact, who returned in the evening with the information of 

 its being below us, but that there was an open channel through it. 

 This day was very sultry, several plants appeared in flower. 



The men were employed in repairing their canoes to a late hour, 

 and commenced very early next morning, as we were desirous of 

 availing ourselves of every part of this favourable weather for their 

 operations. The hunters arrived in the course of the night. It 

 appeared that the dog which escaped from us two days ago came 

 into the vicinity of their encampment, howling piteously ; seeing 

 him without his harness, they came to the hasty conclusion that our 

 whole party had perished in a rapid; and throwing away part of 

 their baggage, and leaving the meat behind them, they set off with 

 the utmost haste to join Long-legs. Our messenger met them in 

 their flight, but too far advanced to admit of their returning for the 

 meat. Akaitcho scolded them heartily for their thoughtlessness in 



2 U 



