canoes. In the afternoon a heavy fall of snow took place, succeeded
by sleet and rain. The north-east gale continued, but the thermometer
Juner o2se5 .t_o_ T39h°e. wind having abated in the night, we prepared,
for starting at an early hour. The three canoes were mounted on
sledges, and nine men were appointed to conduct them, having the
assistance of two dogs to each canoe. The stores and provisions
were distributed equally among the rest of our men, except a few
small articles which the Indians carried. The provision consisted
of only two bags of pemmiean, two of pounded meat, five of suet,
and two small bundles of dried provision, together with fresh meat
sufficient for our supper at night. It was gratifying to witness
the readiness with which the men prepared for and commenced a
journey, which threatened to be so very laborious, as each of them
had to drag upwards of one hundred and eighty pounds on his
sledge. Mr. Back having chosen the moment of our setting off for
sketching the annexed accurate and interesting picture of our
mode of travelling on the ice, further description of it is unne-
CeSOur course led down the main channel of the lake, which varied
in breadth from half a mile to three miles; but we proceeded at
a slow pace, as the snow, which fell last night, and still lay on the
ice very much impeded the sledges. Many extensive arms branched
off on the north side of this channel, and it was bounded on the
south by a chain of lofty islands. The hills on both sides rose to
six or seven hundred feet, and high steep cliffs.were numerous
Clusters of pines were occasionally seen in the valleys. We put
un at eight P.M., in a spot which afforded us but a few twigs for
fuel. The party was much fatigued, and several of the men were
affected by an inflammation on the inside of the thigh attended
with hardness and swelling. The distance made to-day was six
miles. „2 TT o2