“210 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
information of its situation and distance. Having 
the benefit of their track, we marched at a tole- 
rably quick pace, and made twenty-two miles in 
the course of the day, though the weather was 
very disagreeable for travelling, being stormy, 
with constant snow. We kept along the river 
the whole time: its breadth is about two miles. 
The islands appear better furnished with wood 
than its banks, the summits of which are almost 
bare. Soon after we had encamped our Indian 
guide rejoined us ; he had remained behind yes 
terday, to accompany a friend on a hunting e& 
cursion, without consulting us, On his retum 
this evening he made no endeavour to explain 
the reason of his absence, but sat down coolly, 
and began to prepare his supper. This beha- 
viour made us sensible that little dependence i§ 
to be placed on the continuance of an Indian 
guide, when his inclination leads him away. 
Early the next morning we sent forward the 
Indian and a Canadian, to apprize the gentlemal 
in charge of Pierre au Calumet of our approach; ¢ 
and, after breakfast, the rest of the party pl 
ceeded along the river for the station, which We 
reached in the afternoon. The senior partner of 
the North-West Company in the Athabasca de- 
partment, Mr. John Stuart, was in charge of the 
post. Though he was quite ignorant until this 
