weather. The temperature of the atmosphere ranged between 39“
and 31° during the first three days, and that of the water in the
river decreased from 49° to 44°. Several rein-deer and a large flight
of white geese passed to the southward. These circumstances led
us to fear for the comfort, if not for the safety, of our absent friends.
On the 4th of September we commenced building our dwelling-
house, having cut sufficient wood for the frame of it.
In the afternoon of September the 6th, we removed our tent to
the summit of a hill, about three miles distant, for the better observing
the eclipse, which was calculated t'o occur on the next morning.
We were prevented, however, from witnessing it by a heavy snowstorm,
and the only observation we could then make was to examine
whether the temperature of the atmosphere altered during the
eclipse, but we found that both the mercurial and spirit thermometers
remained steadily at 30° for a quarter of an hour previous
to its commencement, during its continuance, and for half an hour
subsequent to its termination; we remarked the wind increased
very much, and the snow fell in heavier flakes just after the estimated
time of its commencement. This boisterous weather continued
until three P.M., when the wind abated, and the snow changed to
rain.
As there was now no immediate occasion for my remaining on the
spot, the eclipse being over, and the Indians having removed to
their hunting-grounds, Dr. Richardson and I determined on taking
a pedestrian excursion to the Copper-Mine River, leaving Mr. Wentzel
in charge of the men, and to superintend the buildings. On the
morning of September the 9th we commenced our journey, under
the guidance of old Keskarrah, and accompanied by John Hepburn
and Samandré, who carried our blankets, cooking utensils, hatchets,
and a small supply of dried meat. Our guide led us from the top
of one hill to the top of another, making as straight a course to the
northward as the numerous lakes, with which the country is interseeted,
would permit. At noon we reached a remarkable hill, with
precipitous sides, named by the Copper Indians the Dog-rib Rock,
and its latitude, 64° 34' 52" S., was obtained. The canoe-track
passes to the eastward of this rock, but we kept to the westward,
as being the more direct course. From the time we quitted the
banks of Winter River we saw only a few detached clumps of trees ;
but after we passed Dog-rib Rock even these disappeared, and we
travelled through a naked country. In the course of the afternoon
Keskarrah killed a rein-deer, and loaded himself with its head and
skin, and our men also carried off a few pounds of its flesh for
supper; but their loads were altogether too great to permit them to
take much additional weight. Keskarrah offered to us as a great treat
the raw marrow from the hind legs of the animal, of which all the
party ate except myself, and thought it very good. I was also of the
same opinion, when I subsequently conquered my then too fastidious
tasta We halted for the night on the borders of a small lake, which
washed the base of a ridge of sand-hills, about three hundred feet
high, haying walked in direct distance sixteen miles.
There were four ancient pine-trees here, which did not exceed six
or seven feet in height, but whose branches spread themselves out
for several yards, and we gladly cropped a few twigs to make a bed
and to protect us from the frozen ground, still white from a fall of
snow which took place in the afternoon. We were about to cut down
one of these trees for firewood, but our guide solicited us to spare
them, and made us understand by signs that they had been long
serviceable to his nation, and that we ought to content ourselves
with a few of the smaller branches. As soon as we comprehended
Ms request we complied with it, and our attendants having, with
some trouble, grubbed up a sufficient quantity of the roots of the
dwarf birch to make a fire, we were enabled to prepare a comfortable
supper of rein-deer’s meat, wMch we despatched with the appetites
which travelling in this country never foils to ensure. We then