OF THE POLAR SEA. 151 
without any other canopy than the heaven, even 
though the thermometer should be far below zero. 
The arrival at the place of encampment gives 
immediate occupation to every one of the party ; 
and it is not until the sleeping-place has been 
arranged, and a sufficiency of wood collected as 
fuel for the night, that the fire is allowed to be 
kindled. The dogs alone remain inactive during 
this busy scene, being kept harnessed to their 
burdens until the men have leisure to unstow the 
sledges, and hang upon the trees every species 
of provision out of the reach of these rapacious 
animals. We had ample experience, before morn- 
ing, of the necessity of this precaution, as they 
contrived to steal a considerable part of our stores, 
almost from underneath Hepburn’s head, notwith- 
standing their having been well fed at supper. 
This evening we found the mercury of our ther- 
mometer had sunk into the bulb, and was frozen. 
It arose again into the tubé on being held to the 
fire, but quickly re-descended into the bulb on 
being removed into the air; we could not, there- 
fore, ascertain by it the temperature of the at- 
mosphere, either then or during our journey. The 
weather was perfectly clear. 
January 19.—We arose this morning after the 
enjoyment of a sound and comfortable repose, 
and recommenced our journey at sun-rise, but 
