202 STRANGE APPEARANCE OF THE AURORA. 



mity sympathised, undergoing momentary trans- 

 itions which defy description. Such convul- 

 sions at the extremes soon affected the centre 

 of the arch, which becoming gradually fainter 

 and fainter, at last vanished entirely, leaving the 

 stars to shine forth in all their brilliance. The 

 detached masses yet remained, though under 

 various forms, and the Aurora nimbly played 

 round and through them, especially the eastern 

 one, until not the slightest vestige of them 

 remained. 



On this occasion the Aurora was high, and 

 consequently did not act powerfully on the 

 needle, which was an extremely delicate one ; 

 but I had opportunities afterwards of seeing this 

 drawn eight degrees on one side, by the same 

 agency ; a remark which I only make for the 

 information of those, who may not be disposed 

 to inspect the tables. 



The little river to the east, and the borders 

 of the lake, were frozen over by the latter end 

 of the month ; but the weather was very mild, 

 and a fresh gale generally broke up the ice 

 again in a few hours. To this unusual mildness 

 of the season may be ascribed the unparalleled 

 sufferings of the Indians, who, emaciated and 

 worn out by fatigue, continued to pour in upon 

 us from the barren lands, where, contrary to 

 their habits, the deer still remained; keeping 



