OF THE POLAR SEA. 201 
Our observations place the North-West Com- 
pany’s House in latitude 55° 53’ 00” N., longi. 
tude 108° 51’ 10” W.; variation 22° 33’ 22” E. 
The shores of Buffalo Lake are of moderate 
height, and well wooded, but immediately beyond 
the bank the country is very swampy and inter- 
sected with water in every direction. At some 
distance from the western side there is a conspi- 
cuous hill, which we hailed with much pleasure, as 
being the first interruption to the tediously uni- 
form scene we had for some time passed through. 
On the 10th we recommenced our journey after 
breakfast, and travelled quickly, as. we had the 
advantage of a well-beaten track. At the end of 
eighteen miles we entered upon the river 
«‘Loche,” which has a serpentine course, and is 
confined between alluvial banks that support 
stunted willows and a few pines; we encamped 
about three miles further on; and in the course 
of the next day’s march perceived several holes 
in the ice, and many unsafe places for the sledges. 
Our companions said the ice of this river is al- 
ways in the same insecure state, even during the 
most severe winter, which they attributed to 
warm springs. Quitting the river, we crossed a 
portage and came upon the Methye Lake, and 
goon afterwards arrived at the trading posts situa- 
ted on the western side of it. These were per- 
