OF THE POLAR SEA. 



197 



temperature of the water was not lower 

 than 40°, he might embark, and descend 

 the stream for a few days to gain some 

 knowledge of its course, but he was not to 

 go so far as to risk his being able to return 

 to this place in a fortnight with the canoe. 

 But if the weather should be severe, and 

 the temperature of the water below 40°, he 

 was not to embark, but return immediately, 

 and endeavour to ascertain the best track 

 for our goods to be conveyed thither next 

 spring. 



We had seen that the water decreases 

 rapidly in temperature at this season, and I 

 feared that, if he embarked to descend the 

 river when it was below 40°, the canoe 

 might be frozen in, and the crew have to 

 walk back in very severe weather. 



As soon as the canoes had started, 

 Akaitcho and the Indians took their depar- 

 ture also, except two of the hunters, who 

 staid behind to kill deer in our neighbour- 

 hood, and old Keskarrah and his family, 

 who remained as our guests. 



The fishing-nets were this day transferred 



