OF THE POLAR SEA. 



461 



gress was much impeded by the great depth of the snow in the val- 

 leys. Although every spot of ground over which we travelled to-day, 

 had been repeatedly trodden by us, yet we got bewildered in a small 

 lake. We took it for Marten Lake, which was three times its size, 

 and fancied that we saw the rapid and the grounds about the fort, 

 although they were still far distant. Our disappointment when this 

 illusion was dispelled, by our reaching the end of the lake, so 

 operated on our feeble minds as to exhaust our strength, and we 

 decided upon encamping ; but upon ascending a small eminence to 

 look for a clump of wood, we caught a glimpse of the Big-Stone, a 

 well known rock upon the summit of a hill opposite to the Fort, and 

 determined upon proceeding. In the evening we saw several large 

 herds of rein-deer, but Hepburn, who used to be considered a good 

 marksman, was now unable to hold the gun straight, and although 

 he got near them all his efforts proved fruitless. In passing through 

 a small clump of pines we saw a flock of partridges, and he suc- 

 ceeded in killing one after firing several shots. We came in sight 

 of the fort at dusk, and it is impossible to describe our sensations, 

 when on attaining the eminence that overlooks it, we beheld the 

 smoke issuing from one of the chimneys. From not having met 

 with any footsteps in the snow, as we drew nigh our once cheerful 

 residence, we had been agitated by many melancholy forebodings. 

 Upon entering the now desolate building, we had the satisfaction of 

 embracing Captain Franklin, but no words can convey an idea of 

 the filth and wretchedness that met our eyes on looking around. 

 Our own misery had stolen upon us by degrees, and we were accus- 

 tomed to the contemplation of each other's emaciated figures, but 

 the ghastly countenances, dilated eye-balls, and sepulchral voices 

 of Mr. Franklin and those with him were more than we could at 

 first bear. 



Conclusion of Dr Richardson's Narrative. 



