﻿1848. CROSS RfCHAKDSON RIVER. 317 



ascertained by Mr. Simpson to be in lat. 67° 53' 

 57" N., long. 115° 56' W. 



Commencing the day's journey at six in the morn- 

 ing of the 5th, we crossed, about an hour after- 

 wards, a small tributary of the Richardson; and 

 at nine, having then walked about four miles and 

 a half from our sleeping place without discover- 

 ing a ford, we determined on crossing in Lieu- 

 tenant Halkett's boat, though, as it could carry no 

 more than two men at a time, the operation was 

 likely to be tedious. Some tall willows (seven or 

 eight feet high), growing on the muddy banks of 

 the river, afforded us the means of making a fire 

 and preparing breakfast. In the mean time, all 

 the net lines, spare lines, and carrying slings were 

 united to form a hawser, wherewith we might draw 

 the boat backwards and forwards. Mr. Rae and 

 Albert crossed first; and, owing to the man to 

 whom the paddles had been assigned as part of his 

 load having left them behind, they had no other 

 instruments for propelling the boat than two tin 

 dinner-plates. They succeeded, however, in cross- 

 ing, though their hands were much chilled by the 

 ice-cold water ; and subsequently the whole party 

 were drawn across. The width of the stream, by 

 measuring half the line, was ascertained to be one 

 hundred and forty yards. 



At one o'clock all had crossed ; and, the bundles 



