OF THE POLAR SEA. 



193 



pens, when they succeed in finding the In- 

 dians, they are unprovided with meat. Mr. 

 Isbester had been placed in this distressing 

 situation only a few weeks ago, and passed 

 four days without either himself or his 

 dogs tasting food. At length, when he de- 

 termined on killing one of the dogs to satisfy 

 his hunger, he happily met with a beaten 

 track, which led him to some Indian lodges, 

 where he obtained food. 



The morning of the 21st w r as cold, but 

 pleasant for travelling. We left Mr. Isbes- 

 ter and his companion, and crossed the 

 peninsula of Musquito Point, to avoid a 

 detour of several miles which the river 

 makes. Though we put up at an early 

 hour, we gained eleven miles this day. Our 

 encampment was at the lower extremity of 

 Tobin's Falls. The snow being less deep 

 on the rough ice which enclosed this rapid, 

 we proceeded, on the 22d, at a quicker pace 

 than usual, but at the expense of great suf- 

 fering to Mr. Back, myself, and Hepburn, 

 whose feet were much galled. After pass- 



vol. i. o 



