OF THE POLAR SEA. 147 



and annoying, but we consoled ourselves 

 with the hope that their season would be 

 short. 



On the 11th we started at three A.M., 

 and as the guide had represented the river 

 below our encampment to be full of shoals, 

 some of the men were directed to walk 

 along the shore, but they were assailed so 

 violently by the musquitoes, as to be com- 

 pelled to embark very soon; and we after- 

 wards passed over the shallow parts by the 

 aid of the poles, without experiencing much 

 interruption. The current ran very rapidly, 

 having been augmented by the waters of the 

 Mouse River and several small streams. 

 We rejoined our hunters at the foot of the 

 Copper Mountains, and found they had 

 killed three musk oxen. This circumstance 

 determined us on encamping to dry the 

 meat, as there was wood at the spot. We 

 availed ourselves of this delay to visit the 

 Copper Mountains in search of specimens 

 of the ore, agreeably to my Instructions ; 

 and a party of twenty-one persons, consist- 

 ing of the officers, some of the voyagers, 

 l 2 



