OF THE POLAR SEA. 



233 



was observed. The small streams that we have hitherto crossed run 

 uniformly to the southward. 



At the end of sixteen miles and a half we encamped amongst a 

 few dwarf pines, and were much rejoiced at having a good fire, as 

 the night was very stormy and cold. The thermometer fluctuated 

 this day between 31° and 35°. Though the following morning was 

 foggy and rainy, we were not sorry to quit the cold and uncomfort- 

 able beds of rock upon which we had slept, and commence our 

 journey at an early hour. After walking about three miles, we 

 passed over a steep sandy ridge, and found the course of the rivulets 

 running towards the north and north-west. Our progress was slow 

 in the early part of the morning, and we were detained for two 

 hours on the summit of a hill exposed to a very cold wind, whilst 

 our guide went in an unsuccessful pursuit of some rein-deer. After 

 walking a few miles farther, the fog cleared away, and Keskarrah 

 pointed out the Copper-Mine River at a distance, and we pushed 

 towards it with all the speed we could put forth. At noon we 

 arrived at an arm of Point Lake, an extensive expansion of the 

 river, and observed the latitude 65° 9' 06" N. We continued our 

 walk along the south end of this arm for about a mile further, 

 and then halted to breakfast amidst a cluster of pines. Here the 

 longitude, 112° 57' 25", was observed. After breakfast we set out 

 and walked along the east-side of the arm towards the main body 

 of the lake, leaving Samandrie to prepare an encampment amongst 

 the pines against our return. We found the main channel deep, 

 its banks high and rocky, and the valleys on its borders inter- 

 spersed with clusters of spruce trees. The latter circumstance was 

 a source of much gratification to us. The temperature of its surface 

 water was 4 1°, that of the air being 43°. Having gained all the informa- 

 tion we could collect from our guide and from personal observation, we 

 retraced our steps to the encampment ; and on the way back Hep- 



2 H 



