134 ARRIVE AT OUR DESTINATION. 



memory : never do I .recall its tardily passing 

 moments without shuddering at tlie thought of what 

 might have been our state next morning. That we 

 were not all frozen to death will ever be a matter of 

 wonder to me, for our under garments had been 

 completely satm^ated with melted snow, and our 

 outer dresses were rigid as boards. The morning of 

 the 14th presented little to justify more than a faint 

 hope of rehef. A heavy mist hung around, obscuring 

 the scene as much as ever; and although we 

 journeyed on, it was in a circle, for we crossed om' 

 old track. Between nine and ten, however, the mist 

 cleared off, and gave us a considerable view, by which 

 fortunate chance both Martin and Mooldooyah recog- 

 nised a headland afar, and then knew that we were 

 in Oong-wy-sac Coy-ee-mak, or Oongwysac harbour, 

 and consequently could reach the \allage of Oongwysac 

 ere night. We directly took bearings, in case the 

 weather should again thicken, but it cleared as the 

 day wore on ; and using all the very moderate 

 dispatch we could exert, OongTvj'sac was reached after 

 a laborious travel of ten hours. We arrived at the 

 yarangas in a condition of complete exhaustion ; and 

 here our first cry was for water. For w^ater ! \\'ith 

 snow in such profusion around ! Even so, good 

 friends. Thirst was one of our greatest sufferings. 



