OP THE POLAR SEA. 391 



benumbed throughout the march, and wc were 

 all stiff and fatigued. The marching of two days 

 weakened us all very much, and the more so on 

 account of our exertion to follow the tracks of 

 our Commander's party ; but we lost them, and 

 concluded that they were not before us. Though 

 the weather was not cold, I was frozen in the 

 face, and was so reduced and affected by these 

 constant calamities, as weU in mind as in body, 

 that I found much difficulty in proceeding even 

 with the advantages I had enjoyed. 



Novembers.— We set out before day, though, 

 in fact, we were all much fitter to remain, from 

 the excessive pain which we suffered in our 

 joints, and proceeded till one P.M., without halt- 

 ing, when Belanger, who was before, stopped, 

 and cried out, " Footsteps of Indians." It is 

 needless to mention the joy that brightened the 

 countenances of each at this unlooked-for sight ; 

 we knew relief must be at hand, and considered 

 our sufferings at an end. St. Germain inspected 

 the tracks, and said that three persons had passed 

 the day before ; and that he knew tlie remainder 

 must be advancing to the southward, as was cus- 

 tomary with these Indians, when they sent to the 

 trading establishment on the first ice. On this 

 information we encamped, and, being too weak 

 to walk myself, I sent St. Germain to follow tlie 



