OF THE POLAR SEA. 209 
after their deaths, was the only cause for the piti- 
able condition in which we saw them. He said 
the whole family were industrious hunters, and, 
therefore, were usually better provided with 
clothes, and other useful articles, than most of the 
Indians. We purchased from them a pair of 
snow-shoes, in exchange for some ammunition. 
The Chipewyans are celebrated for making them 
good and easy to walk in; we saw some here 
upwards of six feet long, and three broad: with 
these unwieldy clogs an active hunter, in the 
spring, when there is a crust on the surface of the 
Snow, will run down a moose or red deer. 
We made very slow progress after leaving this 
party, on account of the deep snow, but continued 
along the river until we reached its junction 
with the Athabasca or Elk River. We obtained 
observations on an island, a little below the 
Forks, which gave, longitude 111° 8’ 42” W., 
variation 24° 18’ 20’ E. Very little wood has 
been seen during this day’s march. The western 
shore, near the Forks, is destitute of trees; it is 
composed of lofty perpendicular cliffs, which are 
now covered withsnow. The eastern shore sup 
ports a few pines. ; 
March 18.—Soon after our departure from the 
encampment, we met two men from the establish- 
ment at Pierre au Calumet, who gave us correct 
Vor. I. P 
