OF THE POLAR SEA. 281 



pleased that the heads, and some other parts, 

 had not been added to their portions. It is pro- 

 per to remark, that Mr. Hood always took the 

 smallest portion for his own mess, but this 

 weighed little with these men, as long as their 

 own appetites remained unsatisfied. We all suf- 

 fered much inconvenience from eating animal 

 food after our long abstinence, but particularly 

 those men who indulged themselves beyond mo- 

 deration. The Canadians, with their usual 

 thoughtlessness, had consumed above a third of 

 their portions of meat that evening. 



We set out early on the 26th, and, after walk- 

 ing about three miles along the lake, came to the 

 river, which we at once recognised, from its size, 

 to be the Copper-Mine. It flowed to the north- 

 ward, and after winding about five miles, termi- 

 nated in Point Lake. Its current was swift, and 

 there were two rapids in this part of its course, 

 which in a canoe we could have crossed with ease 

 and safety. These rapids, as well as every other 

 part of the river, were carefully examined in 

 search of a ford ; but finding none, the expedients 

 occurred, of attempting to cross on a raft made of 

 the willows which were growing there, or in a 

 vessel framed with willows, and covered with 

 the canvass of the tents ; but both these schemes 

 were abandoned, through the obstinacy of the 



