OF THE POLAR SEA 



123 



creek . We went up this creek for a short distance, and then struck 

 into the woods, and encamped among a cluster of the firs, which the 

 Canadians term cypres (pinus inopsj ; having come fourteen miles 



and a half. 



February 16. — Shortly after commencing the journey to-day, we 



met an Indian and his family who had come from the houses at 



Green Lake ; they informed us the track was well beaten the whole 



way. We, therefore, put forth our utmost speed in the hope of 



reaching them by night ; but were disappointed, and had to halt at 



dark, about twelve miles from them, in a fisherman's hut, which was 



> 



unoccupied. Frequent showers of snow fell during the day, and the 

 atmosphere was thick and gloomy. 



We started at an early hour the following morning, and reached 

 the Hudson's Bay Company's post to breakfast, and were received very 

 kindly by Mr. Mac Farlane, the gentleman in charge. The other 

 establishment, situated on the opposite side of the river, was under 

 the direction of Mr. Dugald Cameron, one of the partners of the 

 North- West Company, on whom Mr. Back and I called soon after 

 our arrival, and were honoured with a salute of musquetry. 



These establishments are small, but said to be well situated for the 

 procuring of furs ; as the numerous creeks in their vicinity are much 

 resorted to by the beaver, otter, and musquash. The residents 

 usually obtain a superabundant supply of provision. This season, 

 however, they have barely had sufficient for their own support, owing 

 to the epidemic which has incapacitated the Indians for hunting. 

 The Green Lake lies nearly north and south, is eighteen miles in 

 length, and does not exceed one mile and a half of breadth in any 

 part. The water is deep, and it is in consequence one of the last 

 lakes in the country that is frozen. Excellent tittameg and trout 

 are caught in it from March to December, but after that time most 

 of the fish remove to some larger lake. 



We remained two days, awaiting the return of some men who had 



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