208 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
day our guide led us to the Pembina River, which 
comes from the southward, where we found traces 
of Indians, who appeared to have quitted this 
station the day before; we had, therefore, the be- 
nefit of a good track, which our dogs much requir: ” 
ed, as they were greatly fatigued, by having 
dragged their loads through very deep snow for 
the last two days. A moose-deer crossed the 
river just before the party: this animal is plenti- 
ful in the vicinity. We encamped in a pleasant 
well-sheltered place, having travelled fourteen 
A short distance on the following morning, 
brought us to some Indian lodges, which be- 
longed to an old Chipewyan chief, named the 
Sun, and his family, consisting of five hunters, 
their wives, and children. They were delight- 
ed to see us, and when the object of our eX 
pedition had been explained to them, expressed 
themselves much interested in our progress ; but 
they could give no particle of information respect: 
ing the countries beyond the Athabasca Lake. 
We smoked with them, and gave each person 
a glass of mixed spirits and some tobacco. A 
Canadian servant of the North-West Company, 
Who was residing with them, informed us that 
this family had lost numerous relatives, and that 
the destruction of property, which had been made 
. 
