QJ4< OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED. 



along its western shore, in which line I should 

 find whatever they were fortunate enough to kill. 

 The many interruptions of the ice, over 

 which the boat had to be dragged, caused fre- 

 quent delays, and it was late before she came 

 up. Here, therefore, we encamped ; and after 

 a short repose, proceeded to caulk the boat in 

 several parts, to prepare her for the water, which 

 was now sufficiently unobstructed to admit of 

 her being towed along shore. 



The morning was gloomy in the extreme, and 

 snow fell so thick as to cover the hills again with 

 their wintry garment. By 5 p.m. the boat was 

 ready, launched, and every thing stowed in her, 

 the bow and steersman alone remaining on board, 

 while the others hauled her along with a tracking 

 line. The water was a great deal lower than in 

 the autumn, so that, on arriving at the first rapid, 

 some trouble and waste of time were experienced 

 in ascending its contracted and furious torrent. 

 Once the boat grounded, the line broke, and 

 only by jumping out was the bowman enabled 

 to save her from being driven on the rocks ; and 

 such was the immense force of the water, that 

 it was not until she was lightened of her cargo 

 that the men succeeded in hauling her up. In 

 doing this, they were obliged to pass along the 

 margin of the ice nearest the stream ; and, though 

 five others had done so in safety, yet the sixth 



