SLEDGING. 
113 
was made of Manilla rope: it traversed freely by a 
ring on a loop or bridle, that extended from runner 
to runner in front of the sledge. These track-ropes 
varied in length, so as to keep the members of the 
party from interfering with each other by walking 
abreast. The longest was three fathoms, eighteen 
feet, in length; the shortest, directly fastened to the 
sledge runner, as a means of guiding or suddenly ar¬ 
resting and turning the vehicle. 
The cargo for this journey, without including the 
SLEDGE DRAWN BY NINE MEN. 
provisions of the party, was almost exclusively pem- 
mican. Some of this was put up in cylinders of 
tinned iron with conical terminations, so as to resist 
the assaults of the white bear; but the larger quan¬ 
tity was in strong wooden cases or kegs, well hooped 
with iron, holding about seventy pounds each. Sur¬ 
mounting this load was a light India-rubber boat, 
made quite portable by a frame of basket willow, 
which I hoped to launch on reaching open water. W 
The personal equipment of the men was a buffalo- 
robe for the party to lie upon, and a bag of Mackinaw 
Vol. I.—8 
