48 Thirty Years 



to unstow the sledges, and hang upon the trees every 

 species of provision out of the reach of these rapacious 

 animals. We had ample experience, before morning, 

 of the necessity of this precaution, as they contrived 

 to steal a considerable part of our stores, almost from 

 underneath Hepburn's head, notwithstanding their 

 having been well-fed at supper. 



This evening we found the mercury of our ther- 

 mometer had sunk into the bulk, and was frozen. It 

 arose again into the tube on being held to the fire, 

 but quickly re-descended into the bulb on being 

 removed into the air ; we could not, therefore, ascer- 

 tain by it the temperature of the atmosphere, either 

 then or during our journey. The weather was per- 

 fectly clear. 



Jan. 19. — We arose this morning after the enjoy- 

 ment of a sound and comfortable repose, and recom- 

 menced our journey at sun-rise, but made slow progress 

 through the deep snow. The task of beating the 

 track for the dogs was so very fatiguing, that each of 

 the men took the lead in turn, for an hour and a half. 

 The scenery of the banks of the river improved as we 

 advanced to-day ; some firs and poplars were inter- 

 mixed with the willows. We passed through two 

 creeks, formed by islands, and encamped ona pleasant 

 spot on the north shore, having only made six miles 

 and three-quarters actual distance, 



