OF THE POLAR SEA. 133 



June 25. — The wind having abated in the night, 

 we prepared for starting at an early hour. The 

 three canoes were mounted on sledges, and nine 

 men were appointed to conduct them, having the 

 assistance of two dogs to each canoe. The stores 

 and provisions were distributed equally among 

 the rest of our men, except a few small articles 

 which the Indians carried. The provision con- 

 sisted of only two bags of pemmican, two of 

 pounded meat, five of suet, and two small bundles 

 of dried provision, together with fresh meat suffi- 

 cient for our supper at night. It was gratifying 

 to witness the readiness with which the men pre- 

 pared for and commenced the journey, which 

 promised to be so very laborious, as each of them 

 had to drag upwards of one hundred and eighty 

 pounds on his sledge. 



Our course led down the main channel of the 

 lake, which varied in breadth from half a mile to 

 three miles ; but we proceeded at a slow pace, as 

 the snow, which fell last night, and still lay on the 

 lake, very much impeded the sledges. Many 

 extensive arms branched off on the north side of 

 this channel, and it was bounded on the south by 

 a chain of lofty islands. The hills on both sides 

 J*ose to the height of six or seven hundred feet, 

 and high steep cliffs were numerous. Clusters 

 of pines were occasionally seen in the valleys. 



