OF THE POLAR SEA. 207 



temperature not much above zero, to a strong 

 breeze. He called piteously for relief, and St. 

 Germain on his return endeavoured to embark 

 him, but in vain. The canoe was hurried down 

 the rapid, and when he landed he was rendered 

 by the cold incapable of further exertion, and 

 Adam attempted to embark Belanger, but found 

 it impossible. An attempt was next made to 

 carry out to him a line, made of the slings of the 

 men's loads. This also failed, the current acting 

 so strongly upon it, as to prevent the canoe from 

 steering, and it was finally broken and carried 

 down the stream. At length, when Belanger's 

 strength seemed almost exhausted, the canoe 

 reached him with a small cord belonging to one 

 of the nets, and he was dragged perfectly sense- 

 less through the rapid. By the direction of Dr. 

 Richardson, he was instantly stripped, and being 

 rolled up in blankets, two men undressed them- 

 selves and went to bed with him; but it was some 

 hours before he recovered his warmth and sensa- 

 tions. As soon as Belanger was placed in his 

 bed, the officers immediately sent over my 

 blankets, and a person to make a fire. Augustus 

 brought the canoe over, and in returning he was 

 obliged to descend both the rapids, before he 

 could get across the stream; which hazardous 

 service^e performed with the greatest coolness 

 and judgment. It is impossible to describe my 



