OF THE POLAR SEA. 



277 



December 8. — We set out on the lake with an excessively cold 

 north-west wind, and were frequently interrupted by large pieces of 

 ice which had been thrown up by the violence of the waves during 

 the progress of congelation, and at dusk we encamped on the Rein- 

 deer Islands. 



The night was fine, with a faint Aurora Borealis. Next day the 

 wind was so keen, that the men proposed conveying me in a sledge 

 that I might be the less exposed, to which, after some hesitation, I 

 consented. Accordingly a rein-deer skin and a blanket were laid 

 along the sledge, and in these I was wrapped tight up to the chin, 

 and lashed to the vehicle, with just leaving sufficient play for my 

 head to perceive when I was about to be upset on some rough pro- 

 jecting piece of ice. Thus equipped, we set off before the wind (a 

 favourable circumstance on a lake), and went on very well until 

 noon ; when the ice being driven up in ridges, in such a manner as 

 to obstruct us very much, I was released ; and I confess not unwill- 

 ingly, though I had to walk the remainder of the day. 



There are large openings in many parts where the ice had sepa- 

 rated ; and in attempting to cross one of them, the dogs fell into the 

 water, and were saved with difficulty. The poor animals suffered 

 dreadfully from the cold, and narrowly escaped being frozen to 

 death. We had quickened our pace towards the close of the day, 

 but could not get sight of the land ; and it was not till the sun had 

 set that we perceived it about four miles to our left, which obliged 

 us to turn back, and head the wind. It was then so cold, that two 

 of the party were frozen almost immediately about the face and 

 ears. I escaped, from having the good fortune to possess a pair of 

 gloves made of rabbits-skin, with which I kept constantly chafing 

 the places which began to be affected. At six P.M. we arrived at 

 the fishing-huts near Stoney Island, and remained there the night. 

 The Canadians were not a little surprised at seeing us, whom they 

 had already given up for lost — nor less so at the manner by which 



