OF THE POLAR SEA. 



109 



stream of water thinly covered with ice, 

 and being consequently obliged to come, to 

 the fire. The day was rather mild, and 

 Hepburn and I gathered a large kettleful 

 of tripe de roche; Michel slept in the tent 

 this night. 



Sunday, October 20. — In the morning we 

 again urged Michel to go a hunting that he 

 might if possible leave us some provision, 

 to-morrow being the day appointed for his 

 quitting us ; but he showed great unwil- 

 lingness to go out, and lingered about the 

 fire, under the pretence of cleaning his gun. 

 After we had read the morning service, I 

 went about noon to gather some tripe de 

 roche, leaving Mr. Hood sitting before the 

 tent at the fire-side arguing with Michel ; 

 Hepburn was employed cutting down a tree 

 at a short distance from the tent, being 

 desirous of accumulating a quantity of fire- 

 wood before he left us. A short time after 

 I went out, I heard the report of a gun, and 

 about ten minutes afterwards Hepburn 

 called to me in a voice of great alarm, to 

 come directly. When I arrived, I found 



