OF THE POLAR SEA. 



437 



of getting to the tent where tripe de roche could be obtained, which 

 agreed with him better than with any other of the party, and which 

 he was always very assiduous in gathering. After some hesitation 

 he determined on returning, and set out, having bid each of us 

 farewell in the tenderest manner. We watched him with inex- 

 pressible anxiety for some time, and were rejoiced to find, though 

 he got on slowly, that he kept on his legs better than before. 

 Antonio Fontano was an Italian, and had served many years in 

 De Meuron's regiment. He had spoken to me that very morning, 

 and after his first attack of dizziness, about his father ; and had 

 begged, that should he survive, I would take him with me to England, 

 and put him in the way of reaching home. 



The party was now reduced to five persons, Adam, Peltier, Benoit, 

 Samandre, and myself. Continuing the journey, we came, after an 

 hour's walk, to some willows, and encamped under the shelter of a 

 rock, having walked in the whole four miles and a half. We made 

 an attempt to gather some tripe de roche, but could not, owing to 

 the severity of the weather. Our supper, therefore, consisted of tea 

 and a few morsels of leather. 



Augustus did not make his appearance, but we felt no alarm at 

 his absence, supposing he would go to the tent if he missed our 

 track. Having fire, we procured a little sleep. Next morning the 

 breeze was light and the weather mild, which enabled us to collect 

 some tripe de roche, and to enjoy the only meal we had for four 

 days. We derived great benefit from it, and walked with consider- 

 ably more ease than yesterday. Without the strength it supplied, 

 we should certainly have been unable to oppose the strong breeze 

 we had in the afternoon. After walking about five miles, we came 

 upon the borders of Marten Lake, and were rejoiced to find it frozen, 

 so that we could continue our course straight for Fort Enterprize. 

 We encamped at the first rapid in Winter River amidst willows and 

 alders ; but these were so frozen, and the snow fell so thick, that the 



