OF THE POLAR SEA. 79 
and every other river, were now completely 
covered with ice, except a small stream near to 
the fort through which the current ran very power- 
fully. In the course of the week we removed into 
the house our men had been preparing for us 
since our arrival. We found it at first extremely 
cold notwithstanding a good fire was kept in each 
apartment, and we frequently experienced the 
extremes of heat and cold on opposite seg of 
the body. 
November 24.—We this day obtained obser- 
vations for the dip of the needle and intensity of 
the magnetic force in a spare room. The dip 
was 83° 9° 45", and the difference produced by 
reversing the face of the instrument 13° 3' 6". 
When the needle was faced to the west it hung 
nearly perpendicular. The Aurora Borealis was 
faintly visible for a short time last evening. 
Some Indians arrived in search of provision, 
having been totally incapacitated from hunting 
by sickness ;, the poor creatures looked miser- 
ably ill, and they represented their distress to 
have been extreme. Few recitals are more 
affecting than those of their sufferings during 
unfavourable seasons, and in bad situations for 
hunting and fishing. Many assurances have 
been given me that men and women are yet 
living who have been reduced to feed upon the 
