OF THE POLAR SUA. 157 



circumstances connected with them, they 

 recovered their memory, and a simulta- 

 neous expression of " Mon Dieu, nous 

 sommes sauves," broke from the whole. 

 Contrary to our expectations, the lake was 

 frozen sufficiently to bear us, so that we 

 were excused from making the tours of the 

 different bays. This circumstance seemed 

 to impart fresh vigour to us, and we walked 

 as fast as the extreme smoothness of the 

 ice would permit, intending to reach the 

 Slave Rock that night ; but an unforeseen 

 and almost fatal accident prevented the pro- 

 secution of our plan : Belanger (who seemed 

 the victim of misfortune) again broke 

 through the ice, in a deep part near the 

 head of the rapid, but was timely saved by 

 our fastening our worsted belts together 

 and pulling him out. By urging him for- 

 wards as quick as his icy garments would 

 admit, to prevent his freezing, we reached 

 a few pines, and kindled a fire ; but it was 

 late before he even felt warm, though he 

 was so near the flame as to burn his hair 

 twice; and to add to our distress, (since 



