162 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
only be truly estimated by those who may have 
been placed under similar circumstances. I was 
still in too great pain from swellings in the an- 
kles to proceed to La Montée, the North-West 
Company’s establishment, distant about three 
miles ; but Mr. Hallet, the gentleman in charge, 
eame the following morning, and I presented to 
‘him the circular from Mr. S. Mac Gillivray. He 
had already been furnished, however, with a copy 
of it from Mr. Connolly, and was quite prepared 
to contribute any assistance that we might re- 
quire to forward our advance to the Athabasca. 
Mr. Back and I having been very desirous to 
See some of the Stone Indians, who reside on the 
plains in this vicinity, leamed with regret that a 
large band of them had left the house on the pre- 
ceding day ; but our curiosity was amply grati- 
fied by the appearance of some individuals, on 
the following and every subsequent day during 
our stay. 
The looks of these people would have prepos- 
sessed me in their favour, but for the assuratr 
ces Thad received from the gentlemen of the posts, 
of their gross and habitual treachery. Theif 
countenances are affable and pleasing, their eyes 
large and expressive, nose aquiline, teeth white 
and regular, the forehead bold, the cheek-bones 
- Yather high. Their figure is usually good, above 
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