220 BACK'S LAND EXPEDITION. 



ered on the second day, and Back himself, during their 

 absence, also accidentally discovered its source in the 

 Sand Hill Lake, not far from his encampment. Yielding 

 to that pleasurable emotion which discoverers, in the 

 first bound of their transport, may be pardoned for in- 

 dulging, Back threw himself down on the bank, and 

 drank a hearty draught of the limpid water. 



On the 30th of August they began to move toward 

 the river, but, on reaching Musk-ox Lake, it was found 

 impossible to stand the force of the rapids in their frail 

 canoe, and, as winter was approaching, their return to 

 the rendezvous on Slave Lake was determined on. At 

 Clinton Golden Lake some Indians visited them from the 

 chief Akaitcho, who had been a guide of Sir John 

 Franklin. Two of these Indians remembered Back, one 

 having accompanied him to the Coppermine River on 

 Franklin's first expedition. At the Cat or Artillery 

 Lake they had to abandon their canoe, and perform the 

 rest of the journey on foot over precipitous rocks, 

 through frightful gorges and ravines, heaped with 

 masses of granite, and along narrow ledges, where a 

 false step would have been fatal. At Fort Reliance the 

 party found Mr. McLeod had, during their absence, 

 erected the frame-work of a comfortable residence for 

 them, and all hands set to work to complete it. After 

 many obstacles and difficulties, it was finished. Dr. 

 King joined them on the 16th of September, with two 

 laden batteaux. 



On the 5th of November they exchanged their cold 

 tents for the new house, which was fifty feet long by 

 thirty broad, and contained four rooms, besides a spa- 

 cious hall in the centre, for the reception and accommo- 

 dation of the Indians, to which a sort of rude kitchen 

 was attached. 



An observatory was constructed at a short distance, 



