OF ‘THE POLAR SEA, 75 
view of a very large tent. Its length was about 
forty feet, its breadth eighteen, and its covering 
was moose deer leather, with apertures for the 
escape of the smoke from the fires which are placed 
at each end; a ledge of wood was placed on the 
ground on both sides the whole length of the 
tent, within which were the sleeping places, ar- 
ranged probably according to families ; and the 
drums and other instruments of enchantment were 
piled up in the centre. Amongst the Indians 
there were a great many half-breeds, who led an 
Indian life. Governor Williams gave a dram 
and a piece of tobacco to each of the males of the 
party. 
On the morning of the 2]st a heavy fall of 
snow took place, which lasted until two in the 
afternoon. In the evening we left the Saskat- 
chawan, and entered the Little River, one of the 
~ two streams by which Pine Island Lake dis- 
charges its waters. We advanced to-day four- 
teen miles and a quarter. On, the 22d the wea- 
ther was extremely cold and stormy, and we had . 
to contend against a strong head wind. The 
spray froze as it fell, and the oars were so loaded 
with ice as to be almost unmanageable. The 
length of our voyage this day was eleven miles. 
The following morning was very cold; we em- 
barked at day-light, and pulled across a part of 
