101 
NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY IN 1890, FROM GREAT 
SLAVE LAKE TO BEACHY LAKE, ON THE 
GREAT FISH RIVER. 
From tlie Journal of Mr. James McKinley, officer in charge at Fort Resolution, H. B. Co. 
By D. B. Dowlino, B.A. Sc. 
(Continued from page 92.) 
the walking on the ice very bad. Collected all the small drift willows 
at the points passed, as there is no wood here. Made about five or six 
miles and camped on a low point a short distance from a small river 
that falls in on this side the lake. The banks of this lake appear to be 
low and covered with grass, gradually rising as they recede from the 
lake. The Indians are now nearly all carrying canoes on their sleds, 
picked up here and there, where they had been cached on the route. 
"June 27th. Followed the north shore of the lake, and found it 
nearl) level and good walking, but had to take the ice to avoid streams 
which were open. The north shore continued level, but we crossed a 
deep bay where the hills came to the lake again. Here we camped on 
a small island after travelling about eight mi'es. Willows, etc., for fire- 
wood, have to be carried on our sleds from wherever they can be picked 
up. 
"June 28th. Started off again in a north east direction, making 
about eight miles. We have kept the north side of the lake all along. 
It is indented by many long bays, and dotted with islands. A greater 
portion of the hill sides are grassy slopes, and the level plateaus covered 
with moss and grass, with here and there ridges of rocks and stones. 
There seems quite enough feed for horses and cattle in summer, but 
there is not a sign of anything in the shape of bushes large enough to 
make a fire. Moss is the only thing in this region that will burn. The 
canoe route to Slave Lake stretches away to the south east, through an 
arm of this lake, then through several other lakes connected by the 
Lockhart River, to the eastern end of Slave Lake. From the western ex- 
tremity of McKay Lake to the eastern end of this lake is about one 
hundred and fifty miles, general course, east and west, all of good navi- 
gable water. The route to Fish River from here is north east to the 
end of the bay running in that direction, then a portage of some length 
to the headwaters of that river. 
