224 UNUSUALLY SEVERE WEATHEE. Chap. XII. 



of our provisions, and the ventilation and clean- 

 liness of tlie ship. 



lOM. — Extremely cold, with dense mists from 

 the open vs^ater. Yesterday eight ptarmigan 

 and a sooty fox were seen. We have consumed 

 the last of our venison ; it supplied us for three 

 days. We are drinking out a cask of sugar-beer, 

 which is a very mild but agreeable beverage ; 

 we make it on board. 



Sunday night, 12>th. — To-morrow morning, if 

 fine. Young and I set off upon our travels. He 

 has advanced a portion of his sledge-load to the 

 west side of the water in Bellot Strait, having 

 been obliged to carry it overland for about a 

 mile in order to get there. I have explored the 

 route to the long kike, and find we can reach 

 it without crossing elevated or uncovered land. 

 I saw two reindeer, and Y^'oung saw about 

 twenty ptarmigan. 



The mean temperature of February up to this 

 date is —33 '2°, being an exact continuation of 

 January. I confess to some anxiety upon this 

 point, as hitherto the winter has been unusually 

 severe, and the journeys to be performed will 

 occupy more than twenty days. Besides, we 

 shall be earlier in motion than any of the pre- 

 vious travellers, unless we are to make an ex- 

 ception in favour of Mr. Kennedy's trip of 30 



