MEETING WITH MR. M c LEOD. 443 



dently been frozen, the dwarf birch was almost 

 leafless, the willow was bright yellow, and the 

 whole country was clothed in a livery of sober 

 brown. Five musk-oxen were the only living 

 creatures about; all others having deserted a 

 place which the year before was teeming with 

 life. 



A northerly breeze brought on a fog, in the 

 midst of which we crossed Musk Ox Lake, but 

 were unable to see our way afterwards until 

 11 a.m., when we found ourselves abreast of 

 Icy River, always covered with ice. Subse- 

 quently we got to the first portage on the Thlew- 

 ee-choh, and on the following day (September 

 17th) met our friend Mr. M c Leod, who with 

 four men and two Indians had already been 

 several days at Sand Hill Bay. The pleasure of 

 this meeting I shall not attempt to describe. He 

 had been long expecting us, and had passed, it 

 seems, many anxious hours in watching the 

 distant objects in the direction of our route. 

 After our departure in July he had effected his 

 return to the house with the loss of two dogs 

 only, and had gone from thence to Fort Resolu- 

 tion, to take possession of the forty bags of pem- 

 mican, as well as the outfit from York Factory, 

 which had been forwarded by the Company. As 

 he retraced his way, he had established two 



