«Inthe Arctic Regions. 163 
though the points of land were not discernible beyond 
a short distance. The surface of the ice, being honey- 
-combed by the recent rains, presented innunserable 
sharp points, which tore our shoes, and lacerated the 
feet at every step. The poor dogs, too, marked their 
path with their blood. 
In the evening the atmosphere became clear, and, 
at five P.M., we reached the rapid by which Point 
Lake communicates with Red-Rock Lake. This rapid 
is only one hundred yards wide, and we were much 
‘ disappointed at finding the Copper-Mine River such 
an inconsiderable stream. The canoes descended the 
rapid, but the cargoes were carried across the penin- 
sula, and placed again on the sledges, as the next lake 
was still frozen. We passed an extensive arm, 
branching to the eastward,.and encamped just below 
it, on the western bank, among spruce pines, having 
walked six miles of direct distance. The rolled stones 
on the beach are principally red clay slate, hence its 
Indian appellation, which we have retained. 
We continued our journey at the usual hour next 
morning. At noon the variation was observed to be 
47° east. Our attention was afterwards directed to 
some pine branches, scattered on the ice, which prov- 
ed to be marks placed by our hunters, to guide us to 
the spot where they had deposited the carcasses of two 
small deer. This supply was very seasonable, and the 
