OF THE POLAR SEA. 



55 



that trickled from above, as to be almost 

 impassable. In the course of the day we 

 passed the scene of a very melancholy ac- 

 cident. Some years ago, two families of 

 Indians, induced by the flatness of a small 

 beach, which lay betwixt the cliff and the 

 river, chose it as the site of their encamp- 

 ment. They retired quietly to rest, not 

 aware that the precipice, detached from the 

 bank, and urged by an accumulation of 

 water in the crevice behind, was tottering 

 to its base. It fell during the night and the 

 whole party was buried under its ruins. 



The length of our voyage to-day was, in 

 a direct line, sixteen miles and a quarter, 

 on a S.S.W. course. We encamped soon 

 after sunset, and the tent was scarcely 

 pitched when a heavy rain began, which 

 continued all night. 



Sixteen miles on the 11th, and five on 

 the following morning, brought us to the 

 commencement of Hayes' River, which is 

 formed by the confluence of the Shamattawa 

 and Steel Rivers. Our observations place 

 this spot in latitude 56° 22' 32" N., longi- 



