OF THE POLAR SEA. 



189 



vellers rest. Its preparation, however, 

 consists only in clearing away the snow to 

 the ground, and covering that space with 

 pine branches, over which the parties spread 

 their blankets and coats, and sleep in warmth 

 and comfort, by keeping a good fire at their 

 feet, without any other canopy than the 

 heaven, even though the thermometer should 

 be far below zero. 



The arrival at the place of encampment 

 gives immediate occupation to every one of 

 the party ; and it is not until the sleeping- 

 place has been arranged, and a sufficiency 

 of wood collected as fuel for the night, that 

 the fire is allowed to be kindled. The 

 dogs alone remain inactive during this busy 

 scene, being kept harnessed to their bur- 

 dens until the men have leisure to unstow 

 the sledges, and hang upon the trees every 

 species of provision out of their reach. We 

 had ample experience, before morning, of 

 the necessity of this precaution, as they 

 contrived to steal a considerable part of our 

 stores, almost from underneath Hepburn's 



