198 Carelessness of the Esquimaux. 



which Hayes had left behind him in the observa- 

 tory, he was told by the natives that that edifice 

 had been blown up by the powder left in it, causing 

 the death of five Esquimaux. They had probably 

 broken into the place for the sake of plunder, and 

 owing to their carelessness with regard to fire, the 



American discovery 



Polaris." 



powder stored there had ignited. Dr. Bessels also 

 ascended the mer de glace of Hayes, and reached an 

 altitude of 4,181 feet, at a distance of twenty-eight 

 miles from the coast. 



The " Polaris" expedition was certainly fortu- 

 nate in securing the services of a man so full of 



