OF THE POLAR SEA. 



91 



On the 29th, Peltier felt his pains more 

 severe, and could only cut a few pieces of 

 wood. Samandre, who was still almost as 

 weak, relieved him a little time, and I 

 aided them in carrying in the wood. We 

 endeavoured to pick some tripe de roche, 

 but in vain, as it was entirely frozen. In 

 turning up the snow in searching for bones, 

 I found several pieces of bark, which proved 

 a valuable acquisition, as we were almost 

 destitute of dry wood proper for kindling 

 the fire. We saw a herd of rein-deer 

 sporting on the river about half a mile from 

 the house ; they remained there a long 

 time, but none of the party felt themselves 

 strong enough to go after them, nor was 

 there one of us who could have fired a gun 

 without resting it. 



Whilst we were seated round the fire this 

 evening, discoursing about the anticipated 

 relief, the conversation was suddenly inter- 

 rupted by Peltier's exclaiming with joy, 

 " Ah! le monde!" imagining that he heard 

 the Indians in the other room ; immediately 

 afterwards, to his bitter disappointment, 



