Page:Across the sub-Arctics of Canada (1897).djvu/190

 *mence a new stage of the journey. The rough maps we had enabled us to form a fair idea of what lay ahead. From our camp to the mouth of Chesterfield Inlet on the coast of Hudson Bay measured about 250 miles, and thence down the coast of the Bay to Fort Churchill, a Hudson's Bay Company's post and the nearest habitation of white men, measured 500 more; so that 750 miles was the least distance we had to figure on travelling in canoes before the close of navigation.

It was now the month of September, and as winter is known to set in in the vicinity of Hudson Bay during October, my brother and I felt that our time must be employed to the very best advantage. The weather had been extremely adverse all summer, but it was now liable to be more so. Within the course of two or three weeks the equinoctial gales might be expected. The tides also would be a new feature of difficulty.

In consideration of these prospects, and in order to stimulate the men to greater exertions, it was thought best to explain our position to them, for up to this time they had little idea as to where they were, whether in the vicinity of the North Pole or within a few days' travel of civilization. The effect produced by thus informing the canoemen was as desired. They resolved as one man to make longer days and put forth greater exertion.

Before daylight on the morning of the 3rd, camp was aroused by the sound of many voices, and a few minutes later, before we had turned out from our blankets, the door of the tent was pulled half open and two or three black burly heads with grinning faces were poked in. They were those of some of our friends from the Eskimo