Narrative of a journey to the shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22 . s, which, however,suffers a daily diminution from the consumption of provisions. Thesledge itself weighs about thirty pounds. When the snow is hardfrozen, or the track weU trodden, the rate of travelling is about twomiles and a half an hour including rests, or about fifteen miles aday. If the snow is loose, the speed is necessarily much less andthe fatigue greater. At eight in the morning of the 18th, we quitted the fort, andtook leave of our hospitable friend. Governor AVilliams, whose kind-ness and att
Narrative of a journey to the shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22 . s, which, however,suffers a daily diminution from the consumption of provisions. Thesledge itself weighs about thirty pounds. When the snow is hardfrozen, or the track weU trodden, the rate of travelling is about twomiles and a half an hour including rests, or about fifteen miles aday. If the snow is loose, the speed is necessarily much less andthe fatigue greater. At eight in the morning of the 18th, we quitted the fort, andtook leave of our hospitable friend. Governor AVilliams, whose kind-ness and attention I shall ever remember with gratitude. Dr. Rich-ardson, Mr. Hood, and Mr. ConnoUy, accompanied us along theSaskatchawan until the snow became too deep for their walkingwithout snow-shoes. We then parted from our associates, withsincere regret at the prospect of a long separation. Being accom-panied by Mr. Mackenzie, of the Hudsons Bay Company, whowas going to Islp a la Crosse, with four sledges under his charge,we formed quite a procession, keeping in an Indian file, in the track. OF THE POL\R SE.\. 97 of the man who preceded tlie foremost dogs; but, as the snow wasdeep, we proceeded slowly on the surface of the river, which isabout three hiuidred and fifty yards wide, for the distance of sixmiles, wliich we went to-day. Its alluvial banks and islands areclothed with willows. At the place of our encampment we couldscarcely find sufficient pine branches to floor the hut, as theOrkney men term the place where travellers rest. Its j), consists only in clearing away the snow to the ground, andcovering that space with pine branches, over wliich the })arty spreadtheir blankets and coats, and sleep in warmth and comfort, bykeeping a good fire at their feet, without any other canopy than theheaven, even though the thermometer should be far lx?low zero. The arrival at the place of encampment gives innnediate occupa-tion to every one of the party; and it is not un
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectscientificexpeditions, bookyear1823
