that the Canadians fell on their faces, and began praying and crying,
fearing they should be killed; he himself threw away his gun and
knife, that they might not attract the flashes, for they were within
two feet from the earth, flitting along with incredible swiftness, and
moving parallel to its surface. They continued for upwards of five
minutes, as near as he could judge, and made a loud rustling noise,
like the waving of a flag in a strong breeze. After they had ceased,
the sky became clear, with little wind.’
| February 9.—Having got every thing arranged, and had a
hearty breakfast with a coupe de Veau de vie, (a custom amongst the
traders,) I took my departure, or rather attempted to do so, for on
going to the gate there was a long range of women, who came to
bid me farewell. They were all dressed (after the manner of the
country) in blue or green cloth, with their hair fresh greased,
separated before, and falling down behind, not in careless tresses,
but in a good sound tail, fastened with black tape or riband. This
was considered a great compliment, and the ceremony consisted in
embracing the whole party.
“ I had with me four sledges, laden with goods for the Expedition,
and a fifth belonging to the Hudson’s Bay Company. We returned
exactly by the same route, suffering no other inconvenience but that
arising from the chafing of the snow-shoe, and bad weather. Some
Indians, whom we met on the banks of the Little Buffalo Biver,
were rather surprised at seeing us, for they had heard that we were
on an island, which was surrounded by Esquimaux. The dogs were
almost wore out, and their feet raw, when, on February the 20th, we
arrived at Moose-Deer Island with our goods all in good order.
Towards the end of the month two of our men arrived with letters
from Lieutenant Franklin, containing some fresh demands, the
major part of which I was fortunate enough to procure without the
least trouble. Having arranged the accounts and receipts between
the Companies and the Expedition, and sent every thing before me
to Fort Providence, I prepared for my departure; and it is but
justice to the gentlemen of both parties at Moose-Deer Island to
remark, that they afforded the means of forwarding our stores in the
most cheerful and pleasant manner.
“ March 5.—I took leave of the gentlemen at the Forts, and, in
the afternoon, got to the fisheries near Stony Island, where I found
Mr. M'Vicar, who was kind enough to have a house ready for my
reception ; and I was not a little gratified at perceiving a pleasant-
looking girl employed in roasting a fine joint, and afterwards
arranging the table with all the dexterity of an accomplished servant.
“ March 6.—We set out at daylight, and breakfasted at the Rein-
Deer Islands. As the day advanced, the heat became so oppressive,
that each pulled off his coat and ran till sunset, when we halted with
two men who where on their return to Moose-Deer Island. There
was a beautiful Aurora Borealis in the night; it rose about N.b.W.,
and divided into three bars, diverging at equal distances as far as
the zenith, and then converging until they met in the opposite
horizon ; there were some flashes at right angles to the bars.
“ March 7.—We arrived at Fort Providence, and found our stores
safe and in good order. There being no certainty when the Indian,
who was to accompany me to our house, would arrive, and my
impatience to join my companions increasing as I approached it,
after making the necessary arrangements with Mr. Weeks respecting
our stores, on March the 10th I quitted the Fort, with two of our
men, who had each a couple of dogs and a sledge laden with provision.
On the 13th we met the Indian, near Icy Portage, who was
sent to guide me back. Oh the 14th we killed a deer, and gave the
dogs a good feed; and, on the 17th, at an early hour, we arrived at
Fort Enterprise, having travelled about eighteen miles a-day. I
had the pleasure of meeting my friends all in good health, after an
absence of nearly five months, during which time I had travelled one