8 Journal of a Voyage through the 



line, I found the variation of the compass to be about 

 twenty degrees east. 



Sunday 14. The weather was clear and the wind re- 

 mained in the same quarter. The ice was much broken, 

 and driven to the side of the lake, so that we were appre* 

 hensive for the loss of our nets, as they could not, at pre- 

 sent, be extricated. At sun-set there was an appearance 

 of a violent gust of wind from the southward, as the sky 

 became on a sudden, in that quarter, of a very dusky blue 

 colour, and the lightning was very frequent. But instead 

 of wind there came on a very heavy rain, which promised 

 to diminish the quantity of broken ice. 



Monday 15. In the morning, the bay still continued to 

 be so full of ice, that we could not get at our nets. About 

 noon, the wind veered to the Westward, and not only un- 

 covered the nets, but cleared a passage to the opposite 

 islands. When we raised the nets we found them very 

 much shattered, and but few fish taken. We now struck 

 our tents, and embarked at sun-set, when we made the tra- 

 verse, which was about eight miles North-East by North 

 in about two hours. At half past eleven P. M. we landed 

 on a small island, and proceeded to gum the canoe. At 

 this time the atmosphere was sufficiently clear to admit of 

 reading or writing without the aid of artificial light. We 

 had not seen a star since the second day after we left Atha- 

 basca. About twelve o'clock, the moon made its appear- 

 ance above the tops of the trees, the lower horn being in a 

 state of eclipse, which continued for about six minutes, in 

 a cloudless sky. 



I took soundings three times in the course of the traverse, 

 when I found six fathoms water, with a muddy bottom. 



'Tuesday 16. We were prevented from embarking this 

 morning by a very strong wind from the North, and the 

 vast quantity of floating ice. Some trout were caught with 

 the hook and line, but the net was not so successful. I had 

 an observation which gave 61. 28. North latitude. 



The wind becoming moderate, we embarked about one, 

 taking a North- West course, through islands, of ten miles, 

 in which we took in a considerable quantity of water. Af- 

 ter making several traverses, we landed at five P. M. and 

 having pitched our tents, the hooks, lines, and nets, were 

 immediately set. During the course of the day there was 

 occasional thunder. 



