| (p. 232)
"Resuming our journey next morning we pursued a northerly
course, but had to make a considerable circuit round the western ends of two
lakes whose eastern extremities were hidden from our view. The march was
uncomfortable as the wind was cold, and there was a constant fall of snow
until noon; our guide too persisted in taking us over the summit of every hill
that lay in the route, so that we had the full benefit of the breeze.
We forded two streams in the afternoon flowing between small lakes, and being wet, did not much relish having to halt, whilst Keskarrah pursued a herd of rein-deer; but there was no alternative as he set off and followed them without consulting our wishes. The old man loaded himself with the skin, and some meat of the animal he killed in addition to his former burden; but after walking two miles, finding his charge too heavy for his strength, he spread the skin on the rock, and deposited the meat under some stones, intending to pick them up on our return. We put up at sunset on the borders of a large lake, having come twelve miles. A few dwarf birches afforded us but a scanty fire, yet being sheltered from the wind by a sandy bank, we passed the night comfortably, though the temperature was 30o. A number of geese passed over us to the southward. We set off early next morning, and marched at a tolerably quick pace. The atmosphere was quite foggy, and our view was limited to a short distance." |
