OF THE POLAR SEA. 



91 



observations. The wind having subsided, 

 we left our resting-place the following 

 morning, crossed the remainder of the lake, 

 and in the afternoon arrived at Muddy 

 Lake, which is very appropriately named, 

 as it consists merely of a few channels, 

 winding amongst extensive mud banks, 

 which are overflowed during the spring 

 floods. We landed at an Indian tent, which 

 contained two numerous families, amount- 

 ing to thirty souls. These poor creatures 

 were badly clothed, and reduced to a 

 miserable condition by the hooping-cough 

 and measles. At the time of our arrival 

 they were busy in preparing a sweating- 

 house for the sick. This is a remedy which 

 they consider, with the addition of singing 

 and drumming, to be the grand specific for 

 all diseases. Our companions having ob- 

 tained some geese, in exchange for rum 

 and tobacco, we proceeded a few more 

 miles, and encamped on Devil's Drum Is- 

 land, having come during the day twenty 

 miles and a half. A second party of In- 

 dians were encamped on an adjoining island, 



