6(5 . EMBARK IN A CANOE. 



It occupied the day to make some alterations 

 in the canoe, and I availed myself of the interval 

 to obtain observations on the dip, force, and lati- 

 tude ; the latter of which agreed, within three 

 seconds, with Sir J. Franklin's. I also wrote to 

 the Company for a further supply of stores to be 

 forwarded with the outfit of the following season. 

 The hope of getting sights for time induced 

 me to remain a little longer than I had in- 

 tended ; but, as there was every appearance that 

 the weather would continue overcast, I embarked 

 about noon of the 7th of July, in the canoe, with 

 eight hands ; and, being comparatively light, we 

 made tolerable progress. 



On the following day we overtook Mr. King 

 in the Sturgeon River, or, as it is more ex- 

 pressively named in the country, the Riviere 

 Maligne. It may with perfect propriety be 

 described as one uninterrupted rapid ; and was 

 at that period so low, that the boats had to 

 treble their distance in going backwards and for- 

 wards for the cargo. A glance at their manner 

 of working was enough to satisfy me of their 

 capability, and confirmed me in the expectation 

 that they would arrive early at Great Slave Lake. 

 Still the contrast between us was great ; and my 

 skilful guide, De Charloit (a half-breed), did 

 not fail to make the superiority of the canoe 

 appear to the best advantage. The cumbrous 



