83° 14' 22". The change produced by reversing the face of the instrument,
was 12° 50' 55".
There had been a determined thaw during the last three days.
The ice on the Saskatchawan River and some parts of the lake, broke
up, and the travelling across either became dangerous. On this
account the absence of Wilks, one of our men, caused no small
anxiety. He had incautiously undertaken the conduct of a sledge
and dogs, in company with a person, going to Swampy River for
fish. On their return, being unaccustomed to driving, he became
fatigued, and seated himself on his sledge, where his companion
left him, presuming that he would soon rise and hasten to follow
his track He however returned safe in the morning, and reported
that, forseeing night would set in before he could get across the
lake, he prudently retired into the woods before dark, where he
remained until day-light; when the men, who had been despatched
to look for him, met him returning to the house, shivering with
cold, he having been unprovided with the materials for lighting a
fire ; which an experienced voyager never neglects to carry.
We had mild weather until the 20th of December. On the
13th there was a decided thaw, that caused the Saskatchawan,
which had again frozen, to re-open, and the passage across it was
interrupted for two days. We now received more agreeable accounts
from the Indians, who were recovering strength, and beginning
to hunt a little ; but it was generally feared that their spirits
had been so much depressed by the loss of their children and relatives,
that the season would be far advanced before they could be
roused to any exertion in searching for animals beyond what might
be necessary for their own support. It is much to be regretted that
these poor men, during their long intercourse with Europeans, have
not been taught how pernicious is the grief which produces total
inactivity, and that they have not been furnished with any of the
consolations which the Christian religion never fails to afford.
This, however, could hardly have been expected from persons who
have permitted their own offspring, the half-casts, to remain in
lamentable ignorance on a subject of such vital importance. It is
probable, however,*1'* that an improvement will soon take place
among the latter class, as Governor Williams proposes to make the
children attend a Sunday school, and has already begun to have
divine service performed at his post.
The conversations which I had with the gentlemen in charge of
these posts, convinced me of the necessity of proceeding, during
the winter, into the Athabasca department, the residents of which
are best acquainted with the nature and resources of the country to
the north of the Great Slave Lake; and whence only guides, hunters,
and interpreters can be procured. I had previously written
to the partners of the North-West Company in that quarter, requesting
their assistance in forwarding the Expedition, and stating
what ,we should require. But, on reflecting upon the accidents that
might delay these letters on the road, L determined on proceeding
to the Athabasca as soon as I possibly could, and communicated
my intention to Governor Williams and Mr. Connolly, with a
request that I might be furnished, by the middle of January, with
the means of conveyance for three persons, intending that Mr. Back
and Hepburn should accompany me, whilst Dr. Richardson and Mr
Hood remained till the spring at Cumberland House.
After the 20th of December the weather became cold, the thermometer
constantly below zero. Christmas-day was particularly
stormy; but the gale did not prevent the full enjoyment of the
festivities which are annually given at Cumberland House on this
day. All the men who had been despatched to different parts in
search of provision or furs returned to the fort on the occasion,
and were regaled with a substantial dinner and a dance in the
evening.