288 THE ICE UNSAFE. 



that were growing on the opposite side it was 

 necessary to cross the d6troit ; and the strength 

 of the ice being unequal, owing to the under 

 current, several of the party broke through, and, 

 amongst others, Mr. King, who fortunately reco- 

 vered himself, however, before his chronometer 

 touched the water. Towards evening distant thun- 

 der was heard ; and though the breeze had blown 

 from the S. E., an appearance of steely dark 

 clouds to the N. W. intimated that rain might 

 be expected from that quarter. Accordingly, 

 just as we started at 8h. 15m. p. m. there was a 

 brisk shower, but without thunder or lightning. 

 The decayed and unsafe state of the ice ren- 

 dered it advisable to launch the boat, and trans- 

 port the baggage to the next solid piece, which 

 was a little beyond the conical mound called 

 the Sand Hill. Opposite to this sand-hill above 

 fifteen Indians and their families were encamped : 

 they formed a part of those whom we had sup- 

 plied with ammunition and other articles, to help 

 them to make the best of the summer ; but so 

 proverbially improvident are these miserable 

 people, that nearly the whole which they had 

 received was already lost or expended ; a few 

 had two or three charges of powder and ball, 

 but by far the greater part had to depend on 

 their bows and arrows or the uncertain chance 

 of fishing. We were informed by them, that 



