OF THE POLAR SEA. 267 
I was bewildered for several hours in the woods, 
when I met with an Indian, who led me back at 
such a pace that I was always in the rear, to his 
infinite diversion. The Indians are vain of their 
local knowledge, which is certainly very wonder- 
ful. Our companions had taken out the entrails 
and young of the moose, which they buried in 
the snow. 
The Indians then returned to the tents, and 
one of my men accompanied them; he was the 
person charged with the management of the trade 
at the hunting tent; and he observed, that the 
opportunity of making a bargain with the Indians, 
while they were drinking, was too advantageous 
to be lost. 
It remained for us to prevent the wolves from 
mangling the moose; for which purpose we 
wrapped ourselves in blankets between its feet, 
and placed the hatches within our reach. The 
night was stormy, and apprehension kept me 
long awake ; but finding my companion in so 
deep a sleep, that nothing could have roused 
him, except the actual gripe of a wolf, I 
thought it advisable to imitate his example, as 
much as was in my power, rather than bear the 
purthen of anxiety alone. At day-light we shook 
off the snow, which was heaped upon us, and 
endeavoured to kindle a fire ; but the violence of 
