OF THE POLAR SEA. 



15 



all day, consequently we effected but a 

 trifling distance, and that too with much 

 difficulty. In the evening we halted, having 

 only performed about seven miles. One of 

 the Indians gave us a fish which he had 

 caught, though he had nothing for himself ; 

 and it was with much trouble that he could 

 be prevailed upon to partake of it. The 

 night was again cloudy with snow. On the 

 29th we set out through deep snow and 

 thick woods, and, after crossing two small 

 lakes, stopped to breakfast, sending the 

 women on before, as they had already com- 

 plained of lameness, and could not keep 

 pace with the party. It was not long before 

 we overtook them on the banks of a small 

 lake, which though infinitely less in magni- 

 tude than many we had passed, yet had not 

 a particle of ice on its surface. It was 

 shoal, had no visible current, and was sur- 

 rounded by hills. We had nothing to eat, 

 and were not very near an establishment 

 where food could be procured ; however, as 

 we proceeded the lakes were frozen, and 

 we quickened our pace, stopping but twice 



