112 GREAT BEAR LAKE. 



vicinity, but the ice remains longer unbroken, and 

 drift ice continues on its surface till the middle of 

 August. On the 7th of May, the day on which 

 Mr. Bell and I set out to travel to Fort Franklin, 

 the ice was as firm as in mid-winter ; and, though 

 the snow softened in fine weather, it still covered 

 the ground deeply. 



