OP THE POLAR SEA. 127 



When on the point of starting, we perceived 

 Mr. Wentzel's party coming, and awaited 

 his arrival to learn whether the canoes had re- 

 ceived any injury during the severe weather of 

 yesterday. Finding they had not, we proceeded 

 to get upon the ice on the lake, which could not 

 be efFected without walking up to the waist in 

 water, for some distance from its borders. We 

 had not the command of our feet in this situation, 

 and the men fell often ; poor Junius broke through 

 the ice with his heavy burden on his back, but 

 fortunately was not hurt. 



This lake is extensive, and large arms branch 

 from its main course in different directions. At 

 these parts we crossed the projecting points of 

 land, and on each occasion had to wade as be- 

 fore, which so wearied every one, that we rejoiced 

 when we reached its north side and encamped, 

 though our resting-place was a bare rock. We 

 had the happiness of finding Fontano at this 

 place. The poor fellow had passed the three 

 preceding days without tasting food, and was 

 exhausted by anxiety and hunger. His sufferings 

 were considered to have been a sufficient punish- 

 ment for his imprudent conduct in separating from 

 us, and we only admonished him to be more cau- 

 tious in future. 



Having received information that the hunters 



