66 Mr J. F. Sloane on Thirst in Snow-covered Countries. 



which the sledge is drawn rapidly along, and enables the hunter, 

 on his broad snow-shoes, to travel with an ease very different 

 from that which he experiences on entering the woods, where 

 the snow is always soft, and altogether inconceivable by persons 

 who cannot separate from the idea of snow those qualities of 

 moisture, softness, and tenacity, which it exhibits in countries 

 nearer to the equator. Owing to such causes, the winters on 

 the shores of the Winipeg are far from disagreeable ; and as it 

 is then that the chief objects of their pursuit are in best condi- 

 tion, the hunter and the fur-trader make them the seasons of 

 their wanderings. 



When out in either of these capacities, the agony sustained 

 by them from thirst is often very great. It does not by any 

 means go to that extreme length endured by travellers in the 

 torrid zone, because a speedy and certain remedy is almost always 

 at hand. But it is truly painful while it lasts, and, contrary to 

 his expectation, the sufferer finds that, by eating snow, his 

 mouth is more and more inflamed — his desire for drink fearfully 

 augmented — while a lassitude comes over him which water only 

 can dissipate. More than once, when traversing wide plains, 

 where the snow, resting on the long rank-grass, stretched out in 

 all directions a smooth, white, unbroken surface, till it termi- 

 nated in the horizon, I have seen a party of men tearing up 

 the houses built by musk rats, in swamps formed during the 

 summer rains, in hopes to get at the water which sometimes lies 

 below them, and then drinking that foul and stinking water 

 with the utmost avidity. 



It is to be observed, however, that it is only on the plains, 

 and during winter, that the experienced hunter or traveller is 

 exposed to such hardships. Every one going to any distance at 

 that season, carries, as an essential article in his equipment, a 

 small pot or kettle, in which he melts snow, and boils that wa- 

 ter. To allow the water to boil is a necessary part of the pro- 

 cess ; for, if the snow is merely melted, the water has a smoked 

 arid bitter taste, and a drink of it is far from refreshing. On 

 the contrary, when the water is allowed to boil, and then cooled 

 by throwing into it plenty of the purest snow, no spring-water is 

 more delightful to the taste, or more satisfying to the wants of 

 the thirsty traveller. 



