“1837, October 11.  Ice is forming since yesterday along the beach.”

“1837, November 1.  This being the holiday for All Saints, the men though no saints celebrated it off duty.  The weather cold but fine.”

“1837, November 2.  I have been these two days occupied with the blacksmith in making an oven, and this evening it being finished we give it a fair trial by placing a large trout in it for supper and it is found to answer most excellently.”

“1837, November 3.  Strong northwest wind with drift and cold.  About one o’clock of last night the Aurora had a most unusual appearance, seemingly black in place of the white commonly observed and forming an arch from east to west, consisting of five streaks, here and there broken off.”

“1827, November 5.  Blacksmith making iron runners for our traineaux from old gun-barrels.”

“1837, November 30.  This being the anniversary of the Tutelar Saint of Scotland, we had in addition to our usual dinner a roasted swan and a moose-nose, a rice pudding, a cranberry tart, and a glass of wine.”

“1837, December 1.  I was obliged to give four pounds of dried meat to the dogs for there are some that are almost dead and they et all the windows of the Forge.”

“1837, December 2.  Three of the Fort women fell into a fit of insanity and kept all of the men at the Fort to hold them and prevent them devouring themselves.”

December 25.  Thermometer 35 below the cypher this morning, this being Christmas no labour done.  Wind N.W.”

“1838, January 1.  The morning was ushered in by a salute fired by our people at the windows and doors, after which they came to wish us a Happy New Year—­and in return, in conformity to the custom of the country they were treated, the men with half a glass of brandy each, and the women with a kiss, and the whole of them with as many cakes as they choose to take and some raisins.  One of our gentlemen who had a bottle of shrub treated them to a glass, and after some chit-chat conversation they retired, firing a salute on going out.  In the evening they played at Blind-man’s-buff, concluding the fete by a supper in the Hall.  I also gave each of the men a fathom of twist tobacco and a clay pipe.”

CHAPTER XI

FORT GOOD HOPE ON THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

“With souls grown clear
  In this sweet atmosphere,
With influences serene,
  Our blood and brain washed clean,
We’ve idled down the breast
  Of broadening tides.”

—­Chas. G.D.  Roberts.