OF THE POLAR SEA. 135 



ashore to his assistance, but did not succeed 

 in killing the bears, which fled upon the 

 reinforcement coming up. During the delay 

 thus occasioned we overtook them, and 

 they continued with us the rest of the day. 



We encamped at the foot of a lofty range 

 of mountains, which appear to be from 

 twelve to fifteen hundred feet high ; they 

 are in general round backed, but the out- 

 line is not even, being interrupted by 

 craggy conical eminences. This is the first 

 ridge of hills we have seen in this country 

 that deserves the appellation of a mountain 

 range ; it is probably a continuation of the 

 Stony Mountains crossed by Hearne. Many 

 plants appeared in full flower near the 

 tents, and Dr. Richardson gathered some 

 high up on the hills. The distance we 

 made to-day was fifty miles. 



There was a hoar frost in the night, and 

 the temperature, at four next morning, was 

 40° ; embarking at that hour, we glided 

 quickly down the stream, and by seven 

 arrived at the Hook's encampment, which 

 was placed on the summit of a lofty sand 



