OF THE POLAR SEA. 



233 



In the beginning of October a party had 

 been sent to the westward to seach for 

 birch to make snow-shoe frames, and the 

 Indian women were afterwards employed 

 in netting the shoes and preparing leather 

 for winter-clothing to the men. Robes of 

 rein-deer skin were also obtained from the 

 Indians, and issued to the men who were to 

 travel, as they are not only a great deal 

 lighter than blankets, but also much warmer, 

 and altogether better adapted for a winter 

 in this climate. They are, however, unfit 

 for summer use, as the least moisture causes 

 the skin to spoil, and lose its hair. It re- 

 quires the skins of seven deer to make one 

 robe. The finest are made of the skins of 

 young fawns. 



The fishing, having failed as the weather 

 became more severe, was given up on the 

 5th. It had procured us about one thou- 

 sand two hundred white fish , from two to 

 three pounds each. There are two other 

 species of Coregoni in Winter Lake, Back's 

 grayling and the round fish; and a few 

 trout, pike, methye, and red carp, were also 



