108 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



and then passed over a succession of rugged 

 hills for nearly the same distance. The 

 men, being anxious to reach some pine-trees, 

 which they had seen on their former journey, 

 walked a quick pace, though they were suf- 

 fering from swelled legs and rheumatic 

 pains ; we could not, however, attain the 

 desired point, and therefore encamped on 

 the declivity of a hill, which sheltered us 

 from the wind ; and used the rein-deer 

 moss for fuel, which afforded us more 

 warmth than we expected. Several patches 

 of snow were yet remaining on the sur- 

 rounding hills. The thermometer varied 

 to-day between 55° and 45°. 



On the 20th of June we began our march 

 by crossing a small lake, not without much 

 risk, as the surface of the ice was covered 

 with water to the depth of two feet, and 

 there were many holes into which we 

 slipped in spite of our efforts to avoid 

 them. A few of the men, being fearful of 

 attempting the traverse with their heavy 

 loads, walked round the eastern end of the 

 lake. The parties met on the sandy ridge, 



