195 



made in walking, by the breaking of the crust. At this time, 

 January 10th, the snow was about two feet deep, and it 

 gradually increased till the 27th of March, its greatest 

 average depth being from five to six feet. Our liorses began 

 to suiFer considerably from the unusual severity of the winter : 

 the hunters lost the whole of the young ones of the preceding 

 year, and one which I had received from the Company died 

 also. The animals of all kinds were becoming more and 

 more scarce, so that my hunter resolved upon leaving this spot, 

 and accordingly removed 80 or 100 miles farther down the 

 river, but I preferred remaining where I was, though my 

 situation became very lonel}^, being deprived of books or any 

 source of amusement. When the weather permitted, I 

 generally took a walk, to habituate myself to the use of snow 

 shoes, but I added very little to my collections. The hunter 

 returned about the beginning of March, bringing with him 

 some venison, which proved a very acceptable supply, as the 

 Partridges, Tetrao canadensis, and T. rupestris, the only game 

 to be met with in my short rambles, were becoming difficult 

 to be obtained. Nothing particular occui'red until the 1st of 

 April, when I determined upon going back to the Portage, 

 in hopes of receiving letters from Captain Franklin or from 

 home, as well as for the purpose of procuring specimens of 

 the waterfowl which might then be expected to return to the 

 many lakes in the vicinity. I left Baptiste River, accordingly, 

 accompanied by the Indian who took charge of my horses, 

 and carrying with me the few specimens of plants and birds 

 that I had been able to obtain. In six days we reached Jas- 

 per's House, the distance in a direct line being from 150 to 

 200 miles, which was the greatest journey I had ever yet 

 performed in snow shoes. 



On the 9th I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. M'Millan, 

 who brought me, from Edmonton House, my tent, another 

 supply of paper, and a little tea and sugar, by which my 

 situation was rendered comparatively comfortable. The 

 winter, he assured me, had been remarkably severe, and 

 vegetation was a full month later than usual. The ducks 

 and geese now began to return, so that my time was fully 



