Page:Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America.djvu/118

 weather. The games and sports of the people without the gates were generally at their height at midnight, when the coolness of the atmosphere incited to exertion. At every shout the echoes ran along the floating ice in the bay, passing from one fragment to another, and producing a succession of sounds, that became gradually softer and fainter, till they seemed to mingle with the horizon. The mirage, too, exhibited some curious appearances. Mr. Dease vaccinated all the young people, Indian or half-breed, at the place; a benefit already conferred on the whole concourse of natives at Fort Chipewyan. Several sets of azimuths made the variation here 37° 16′ 30″ E. The variation found by Back, in 1833, was 37° 20′ and by Franklin, in 1825, 29° 16′ 9″ E. For the last four years, then, the quantity would seem to have remained nearly stationary, but from 1825 to 1833 to have increased annually one degree; while at Fort Chipewyan, as formerly stated, the annual increase, since 1825, has only been about three minutes. Local attraction and difference of instruments have probably a share in these discrepancies, which might otherwise throw some light upon the motion of the magnetic pole. In this manner was the delay beguiled; but our main object languished, and many an anxious glance was