pearance amongst them, without the means of satisfying any of their
desires, would give them an unfavourable impression respecting the
Expedition, which would make them indifferent to exertion, if it
did not even cause them to withdraw from their engagements.
The establishments at this place, Forts Chipewyan and Wedder-
burne, the chief posts of the Companies in this department, are conveniently
situated for communicating with the Slave and Peace
Rivers, from whence the canoes assemble in the spring and autumn;
on the first occasion they bring the collection of furs which has been
made at the different out-posts during the winter; and at the latter
season they receive a supply of stores for the equipment of the .Indians
in their vicinity. Fort Wedderbunie is a small house, constructed
on Coal Island about five years ago, when the Hudson’s
Bay Company recommenced trading in this district. Fort
Chipewyan has been built many years, and is an establishment
of very considerable extent, conspicuously situated on a .rocky
point of the northern shore; it has a tower which can be seen
at a considerable distance. This addition was made about eight
years ago, to watch the motions of the Indians, who intended, as it
was then reported, to destroy the house and all its inhabitants.
They had been instigated to this rash design by the delusive stories
of one among them, who had acquired great influence over his companions
by his supposed skill in necromancy. This fellow had prophesied
that there would soon be a complete change in the face of
their country; that fertility and plenty would succeed to the present
sterility; and that the present race of white inhabitants, unless they
became subservient to the Indians, would be removed, and them
place be filled by other traders, who would supply their wants in
every possible manner. The poor deluded wretches, imagining they
would hasten this happy change by destroying their present traders,
of whose submission there was no prospect, threatened to extirpate
them. None of these menaces, however, were put in execution.
They were probably deterred from the attempt by perceiving that
a most vigilant guard was kept against them.
The portion of this extensive lake which is near the establishments,
is called “ The Lake of the Hills,” not improperly, as the
northern shore and the islands are high and rocky. The south side,
however, is quite level, consisting of alluvial land, subject to be
flooded, lying betwixt the different mouths of the Elk River, and
much intersected by water. The rocks of the northern shore are
composed of syenite, over which the soil is thinly spread ; it is, however,
sufficient to support a variety of firs and poplars, and many
shrubs, lichens and mosses. | The trees were now in full foliage, the
plants generally in flower, and the whole scene quite enlivening.
There can scarcely^ be a higher gratification than that which is enjoyed
in this country in witnessing the rapid change which takes
place in the course of a few days in the spring; scarcely does the
snow disappear from the ground, before the trees are clothed with
thick foliage, the shrubs open their leaves, and put forth their variegated
flowers, and the whole prospect becomes animating. The
spaces between the rocky hills, being for the most part swampy,
support willows and a few poplars. These spots are the favourite
resort of the musquitoes, which incessantly torment the unfortunate
persons who have to pass through them.
Some of the hills attain an elevation of five or six hundred feet, at
the distance of a mile from the house; and from their summits a very
picturesque view is commanded of the lake, and of the surrounding
country. The land above the Great Point at the confluence of the
main stream of the Elk River is six or seven hundred feet high,
and stretches in a southern direction behind Pierre au Calumet.
Opposite to that establishment, on the west side of the river, at some
distance in the interior, the Bark Mountain rises and ranges to the
N.W., until it reaches Clear Lake, about thirty miles to the southx