2i8 A VOYAGE TO Book V, 



it was very compadly covered with ftraw. But, not- 

 xvithftanding all our care, the wind penetrated through. 

 The days v^ere often little better than the nights-, and 

 all the light we enjoyed was that of a lamp or two, 

 which we kept burning, that we might diftinguifla 

 one another, and improve our time as much as pof- 

 tible in reading. Though our hut was fmall, and 

 crouded with inhabitants, befides the heat of the 

 lamps, yet the intenfenefs of the cold was Rich, that 

 every one of us v/as obliged to have a chafindifh of 

 coals, Thefe precautions would have rendered the 

 rigour of the climate fupportable, had not the im- 

 minent danger of perifhing by being blown down the 

 precipice rouzed us, every time it fnowed, to en- 

 counter the feverity of the outward air, and fally out 

 with ihovels, to free the roof of our hut from the 

 maiTcs of fnow which were gathering on it. Nor 

 would it, without this precaution, have been able to 

 fupport the weight. We were not, indeed, without 

 fervants and Indians but they were fo benumbed 

 with the cold, that it was with great difficulty we could 

 get them out of a fmall tent, where they kept a con- 

 tinual fire. So that all v^e could obtain from them 

 was, to take their turns in this labour and even 

 then they went very unwillingly about it, and con- 

 fequently performed it flowly. 



It may cafiiy be conceived what we fuffered from 

 die afperities of fuch a climate. Our feet vv^ere fwelled, 

 -and fo tender, that we could not even bear the heat, 

 and walking was attended with extreme pain. Our 

 hands were covered with chiiblairii^ ; our lips Iwelied 

 and chopped fo that every motion, in fpeaking or 

 the like, drew blood ; confequently we were obliged 

 to a firid taciturnity, and but little difpofed to laugh, 

 an extenfion of the lips producing fifTures, very pain- 

 ful for two or three days together. 



• Our common food in this inhofpitable region was 

 'A little rice boijed with fomp fleili or fowl, which we 



• 2 procured 



