OF THE POLAR SEA. 



107 



branch from its main course in different 

 directions. At these parts we crossed the 

 projecting points of land, and on each occa- 

 sion had to wade as before, which so 

 wearied every one, that we rejoiced when 

 we reached its north side and encamped, 

 though our resting-place was a bare rock. 

 We had the happiness of finding Fontano at 

 this place. The poor fellow had passed the 

 three preceding days without tasting food, 

 and was exhausted by anxiety and hunger. 

 His sufferings were considered to have been 

 a sufficient punishment for his imprudent 

 conduct in separating from us, and I only 

 admonished him to be more cautious in 

 future. 



Having received information that the 

 hunters had killed a deer, we sent three 

 men to fetch the meat, which was distri- 

 buted between our party and the canoe-men 

 who had been encamped near to us. The 

 thermometer at three P.M. was 46°, at nine 

 34°. 



We commenced the following day by 

 crossing a lake about four miles in length, 



