In the Arctic Regions. 437 
were obliged to drag the boats and cargoes higher up. 
ct About three the next morning a heavy rain 
commenced, and continued, without intermission, 
through the day ; at which we were delighted, how- 
ever comfortless it made our ‘situation, because we 
saw the ive gradually loosening from the land under 
its effects. We found the keeping a tide-pole fixed 
in the loose gravel beach impracticable here, as well 
as at the last resting-place, on account of the swell. 
It appeared to be high water this morning at half 
past one A.M., and that the rise of tide was about 
two feet. I-need hardly observe that we had the sun 
constantly above the horizon, were it not for the pur- 
pose of mentioning the amusing mistakes which the 
men made as to the hour. In fact, when not employ- 
ed, a question as to the time of day never failed to 
puzzle them, except about midnight, when the sun 
was near the northern horizon. 
Lieutenant Back missing the protractor which he 
used for laying down his bearings on the map, Augus- 
tus set off in the rain early this forenoon to recover 
it from an Esquimaux woman, whom he had seen pick 
it up. The rain ceased in the afternoon, the wind 
gradually abated, and by eight in the evening it was 
calm. A south wind followed, which opened a pas- 
sage tor the boat, but Augustus was notinsight, At 
midnight we became greatly alarmed for his safety, 
