ADVENTURE OF A LEMMING. 441 



with snow, which on the following morning (the 

 7th) had covered the surface of the hills and 

 ground around us, and given a wintry aspect to 

 the scene. About 10 p. m. the water had risen 

 four feet, when, for the third time, the boat was 

 hauled higher on the bank. So completely cold 

 and drenched was every thing outside, that a 

 poor little lemming, unable to contend with the 

 floods which had driven it successively from all 

 its retreats, crept silently under the tent, and 

 snuggled away in precarious security within a 

 few paces of a sleeping terrier. Unconscious of 

 its danger, it licked its fur coat, and darted its 

 bright eyes from object to object, as if pleased 

 and surprised with its new quarters ; but soon 

 the pricked ears of the awakened dog announced 

 its fate, and in another instant the poor little 

 stranger was quivering in his jaws. 



September 8th. — The morning was gloomy ; 

 but as the wind had fallen, we gladly availed 

 ourselves of the opportunity to get away, though 

 the current was strong, and the weather so thick 

 that it was sometimes difficult to find the right 

 channel. About 9 the sun broke out, and al- 

 lowed us to dry our wet clothes. Passing 

 Baillie's River, we ascended the long rapid 

 where the first Esquimaux marks were seen, and 

 found the country on either side quite converted 

 into a swamp. Towards evening a N.W. gale 



