442 ENCAMP AT MUSK-OX RAPID. 



came on, with sleet and snow, and the next 

 morning all the creeks were solidly frozen. The 

 cold was indeed excessive ; and what with snow, 

 squalls, and mist, we did not make much pro- 

 gress. The water had risen considerably, and 

 the mud and sand cliffs were worn into innumer- 

 able ravines from the constant drainage of the 

 upper lands. It occupied the better part of a 

 day to get past the cascades, and a most laborious 

 and hazardous service it was ; such as assuredly 

 would not have been attempted by any but 

 persons situated as we were. The boat barely 

 withstood the shocks she received, and was 

 obliged to be repaired and caulked to keep her 

 afloat. On Lake Beechy we had abundance of 

 snow, and wind enough to detain us. At some 

 distance from it we saw three hawks attack a 

 wounded goose and a gull, which they seemed 

 pretty certain of killing. 



On September 15th we took up our first cache, 

 which had been eaten into by the lemmings, and 

 was partly damaged ; and late in the evening we 

 encamped at the upper end of Musk Ox Rapid, 

 but saw no fresh traces of Indians. Only six- 

 teen days earlier in the previous season the 

 surrounding hills were covered with deer care- 

 lessly feeding in all directions, and every thing 

 had the tint of summer on it : now, not a 

 solitary deer was seen j the tea plant had evi- 



