OF THE POLAR SEA. 263 



The gale had not diminished on the 12th, and, 

 as we were fearful of its continuance for some 

 time, we determined on going forward ; our only 

 doubt regarded the preservation of the canoe, 

 but the men promised to pay particular attention 

 to it, and the most careful persons were appointed 

 to take it in charge. The snow was two feet 

 deep, and the ground much broken, which ren- 

 dered the march extremely painful. The whole 

 party complained more of faintness and weakness 

 than they had ever done before ; their strength 

 seemed to have been impaired by the recent 

 supply of animal food. In the afternoon the wind 

 abated, and the snow ceased ; cheered with the 

 change, we proceeded forward at a quicker pace, 

 and encamped at six P.M., having come eleven 

 miles. Our supper consumed the last of our meat. 



We set out on the 13th, in thick hazy weather, 

 and, after an hour's march, had the extreme mor- 

 tification to find ourselves on the borders of a 

 large lake, which we subsequently learned from 

 the Indians was named Contwoy-to, or Rum 

 Lake ; neither of its extremities could be seen, 

 and as the portion which lay to the east seemed 

 the widest, we coasted along to the westward 

 portion in search of a crossing-place. This lake 

 being bounded by steep and lofty hills, our march 

 was very fatiguing. Those sides which were 

 exposed to the sun, were free from snow, and we 



