calculated to ensure at every station ; and were soon afterwards regaled
with a substantial dish of buffalo steaks, which would have been
excellent under any circumstances, but were particularly relished by
us, after our travelling fare of dried meat and pemmican, though
eaten without either bread or vegetables. After this repast, we
had the comfort of changing our travelling dresses, which had
been worn for fourteen days ; a gratification which can only
be truly estimated by those who have been placed under similar
circumstances. I was still in too great pain from swellings in the
ankles to proceed to La Montée, the North-West Company’s establishment,
distant about three miles ; but Mr. Hallet, the gentleman
in charge, came the following morning, and I presented to him
the circular from Mr. S. Mac Gillivray. He had already been furnished,
however, with a copy of it from Mr. Connolly, and was quite
prepared to assist us in our advance to the Athabasca.
Mr. Back and I having been very desirous to see some of the
Stone Indians, who reside on the plains in its vicinity, learned with
regret that a large band of them had left the house on the preceding
day ; but our curiosity was amply gratified by the appearance of
some individuals, on the following and every subsequent day during
our stay.,
The looks of these people would have prepossessed me in their
favour, but for the assurances I had received from the gentlemen of
the posts, of their gross and habitual treachery. Their countenances
are affable and pleasing, their eyes large and expressive, nose aquiline,
teeth white and regular, the forehead bold, the cheek-bones
rather high. Their figure is usually good, above the middle size,
with slender, but well proportioned, limbs. Their colour is a light
copper, and they have a profusion of very black hair, which hangs
over the ears, and shades the face. Their dress, which I think extremely
neat and convenient, consists of a vest and trowsers of
leather fitted to the body ; over these a buffalo robe is thrown grace