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OP THE POLAR SEA. 



rapid. As the current was strong, and many of 

 the rocks were covered with water to the depth 

 of two or three feet, the men were exposed to 

 much danger in carrying their heavy burthens 

 across, and several of them actually slipped into 

 the stream, but were immediately rescued by the 

 others. Junius went farther up the river in search 

 of a better crossing-place, and did not rejoin us 

 today. As several of the party were drenched 

 from head to foot, and we were all wet to the 

 middle, our clothes became stiff with the frost, 

 and we walked with much pain for the remainder 

 of the day. The march was continued to a late 

 hour, being anxious to rejoin the hunters who 

 had gone before, but we were obliged to encamp 

 at the end of ten miles and a quarter, without 

 seeing them. Our only meal to-day consisted of 

 a partridge each (which the hunters shot,) mixed 

 with tripe de roche. This repast, although scanty 

 for men with appetites such as our daily fatigue 

 created, proved a cheerful one, and was received 

 with thankfulness. Most of the men had to sleep 

 in the open air, in consequence of the absence of 

 Credit, who carried their tent ; but we fortunately 

 found an unusual quantity of roots to make a fire, 

 which prevented their suffering much from the 

 cold, though the thermometer was at 17°. 

 We started at six on the 9th, and at the end of 



Vol. II. S 



