In the Arctic Regions. 273 
Sept. 21.—We set out at seven this morning in 
dark foggy weather, and changed our course two 
points to the westward. The party were very feeble, 
and the men much dispirited ; we made slow pro- 
gress, having to march over a hilly and very rugged 
country. 
Just before noon the sun beamed through the haze 
for the first time for six days, and we obtained an ob- 
servation in latitude 65° 7' 06” N., which was six 
miles to the southward of that part of Point Lake to 
which our course was directed, By this observation 
we discovered that we had kept to the eastward of the 
proper course, which may be attributed partly to the 
difficulty of preserving a straight line through an un- 
known country, unassisted by celestial observations, 
and in such thick weather, that our view was often 
limited to a few hundred yards ; but chiefly to our 
total ignorance of the amount of the variation of the 
compass, 
We altered the course immediately to west-south- 
west, and fired guns to apprize the hunters who were 
out of our view, and ignorant of our having done so. 
After walking about two miles we put up to collect 
the stragglers. T'wo partridges were killed, and these 
with some tripe de roche, furnished our supper. Not- 
withstanding a full explanation was given to the men ~ 
of the reasons for- altering the course, ‘and they were 
12* , 
