A GREAT FROZEN LAKE. 95 



mayed, we broke camp early, and bidding good-bye to 

 the last vestige of growing timber to be seen, continued 

 down the river toward the frozen lake. Four more 

 rapids were passed, and about 10 a.m., retarded by a 

 strong east wind, we went ashore on a little island in 

 the broad mouth of the river. Here we built another 

 cairn of rocks, upon which was painted, with red enamel, 

 the latitude of the spot and the date and name of the 

 expedition. 



In the afternoon, the wind having moderated, we 

 started out for the mainland to the north. We followed 

 it for some miles to the eastward, and then struck across 

 to a long point, which appeared to be the outermost 

 point of the river shore. Up to this time we had seen 

 nothing of the ice-field, but here it was, tight in against 

 the shore and defying farther advance by canoe. To- 

 wards the edge of the pack the ice was much broken 

 and honey-combed, but it was far too heavy to be tackled 

 by canoes or even stout boats. It was decided, there- 

 fore, to turn into what we supposed was a bay just 

 passed, and from the shore get a view of the pack. We 

 had no sooner altered our course than a deer was sighted 

 close by, shot, and taken on board for fresh meat. It 

 was found that the point was that of a long island, and 

 that the supposed bay was a channel through which we 

 might pass unobstructed by ice. 



By this time, however, the wind was again blowing 

 strongly, and a cold heavy rain setting in drove us to 

 camp. During the night the wind increased to a gale, 

 accompanied by torrents of rain, which flooded the 

 tents and saturated our clothing and blankets. Not 

 a vestige of fuel was to be found in the country, but 



