legs, both of which were much swollen when we halted a little above
the Dog River.
“ December 30 and 31.—Our journey these days, was by far the
most annoying we had yet experienced; but, independent of the
vast masses of ice that were piled on one another, as well as the
numerous open places about the rapids (and they did not a little
impede us,) there was a strong gale from the north-west, and so
dreadfully keen, that our time was occupied in rubbing the frozen
parts of the face, and in attempting to warm the hands, in order to
be prepared for the next operation. Scarcely was one place cured
by constant friction than another was frozen; and though there was
nothing pleasant about it, yet it was laughable enough to observe
the dexterity which was used in changing the position of the hand
from the face to the mitten, and vice versd. One of the men was
severely affected, the whole side of his face being nearly raw.
Towards sunset I suffered so much in my knee and ankle, from a
recent sprain, that it was with difficulty I could proceed with snow-
shoes to the encampment on the Stony Islands. But in this point
I was not singular: for Beauparlant was almost as bad, and without
the same cause.
is2i. “ We set out with a quick step, the wind still blowing
Jaimary I'fresh from the north-west which seemed in some measure
to invigorate the dogs ; for towards sunset they left me considerably
behind. Indeed my legs and ankles were now so swelled, that it
was excessive pain to drag the snow-shoes after me. At night we
halted on the banks of Stony River, when I gave the men a glass of
grog, to commemorate the new year; and the next day, January 2,
we arrived at Fort Chipewyan, after a journey of ten days and four
hours—the shortest time in which the distance had been performed
at the same season. I found Messrs. G. Keith and S. M'Gillivray
in charge of the Fort, who were not a little surprised to see me.
The commencement of the new year is the rejoicing season of the
Canadians, when they are generally intoxicated for some days. I
postponed making any demand till this time of festivity should
cease ; but on the same day I went over to the Hudson’s Bay Fort,
and delivered Lieutenant Franklin’s letters to Mr. Simpson. If
they were astonished on one side to see me, the amazement was still
greater on the other; for reports were so far in advance, that we
were said to have already fallen by the spears of the Esquimaux.
“ January 3.—-I made a demand from both parties for supplies ;
such as ammunition, gun-flints, axes, files, clothing, tobacco, and
spirits, and stated to them our extreme necessity, and that without
their assistance the Expedition must be arrested in its progress.
The answer from the North-West gentlemen was satisfactory
enough; but on the Hudson’s Bay side I was told, ‘ that any
farther assistance this season entirely depended on the arrival of
supplies expected in a few weeks from a distant establishment.’ I
remained at Fort Chipewyan five weeks, during which time some
laden sledges did arrive, but I could not obtain any addition to the
few articles I had procured at first. A packet of letters for us, from
England, having arrived, I made preparations for my return, but not
before I had requested both Companies to send next year, from the
dépôts, a quantity of goods for our use, specified in lists furnished
to them.
“ The weather, during my abode at Chipewyan, was generally
mild, with occasionally heavy storms, most of which were anticipated
by the activity of the Aurora Borealis ; and this I observed had
been the case between Fort Providence and the Athabasca in
December and January, though not invariably so in other parts of
the country. One of the partners of the North-West Company
related to me the following singular story ‘ He was travelling in
a canoe in the English River, and had landed near the Kettle Fall,
when the coruscations of the Aurora Borealis were so vivid and low,
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