284 A CACHE PLUNDERED. 



miles. At this part the lake was so wide, that 

 between the openings of the land there was 

 everywhere a clear horizon. With alternate 

 spells and haltings to rest, we gradually advanced 

 on the traverse ; and were really making reason- 

 able progress, when pelting showers of sleet and 

 drift dimmed and confused the sight, so as to 

 render it an extremely perplexing task to keep 

 even near the course. Towards evening it 

 cleared to windward, and showed us an island, 

 which, though partly covered with snow, I 

 thought I remembered. Accordingly, we went 

 there, and were gratified by observing some 

 marks which removed any doubt about the route. 

 The boat arrived late, and the men complained 

 of being tired. " However," said the poor 

 fellows, " we should not mind that, if the sun 

 would only shine for us to dry our clothes." 

 Fatigued as they were, the marks were followed ; 

 but, in this instance, the cache had been plun- 

 dered — by whom was never discovered. 



A break now and then in the sky gave some 

 token of a change, and by midnight the wind 

 had much abated ; but it was only to rage and 

 howl with more violence as the sun rose, bring- 

 ing along with it snow and sleet so thick as to 

 darken the atmosphere, and limit our view to a 

 few paces before us. In short, it was more like a 

 dreary day of December than of midsummer. 



