218 MEET OLD ACQUAINTANCES. Chap. XIII. 



progression was persevered in, by which time (15 th April) 

 we reached the low limestone shore in latitude 71 7' N., 

 which continues thence in almost a straight line southward 

 for 60 or 70 miles. We now commenced laying down 

 provisions for our consumption upon the return journey ; 

 and the snow being unusually level, we were able to advance 

 with the whole of our remaining provisions, amounting to 

 nearly sixty days' allowance. 



Hitherto the temperature continued low, often nearly 30 

 below zero, and at times with cutting north winds, bright 

 sun, and intensely strong snow glare. Although we wore 

 coloured spectacles, yet almost all suffered great incon- 

 venience and considerable pain from inflamed eyes. Our 

 faces were blistered, lips and hands cracked — never were 

 men more disfigured by the combined effects of bright sun 

 and bitterly cold winds ; fortunately no serious frost-bites 

 occurred, but frost-bitten faces and fingers were universal. 



On 20th April, in latitude 70J N., we met two families 

 of natives, comprising twelve individuals ; their snow huts 

 were upon the ice three-quarters of a mile off shore, and 

 their occupation was seal-hunting. They were the same 

 people with whom I had communicated at Cape Victoria in 

 February. 



Old Oo-na-lee laid his hands on Petersen's shoulders to 

 measure their width, and said, " He is fatter now : " true 

 enough, the February temperature and sharp marching had 

 caused us both at that time to shrink considerably. 



Their snow huts were built in the annexed form, the com- 

 mon entrance and both passages being just sufficiently high 

 to get in without having to crawl upon our hands and knees, 

 and the widened parts serving as antechambers for articles 

 which should remain frozen. A slab of ice in the roof 

 admitted sufficient light. A snow bank or bench two feet 

 high, and occupying half the area of each hut, was covered 



