146 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
Wind South—running along main Land. Myriads of Geese, Pelicans 
and Crows. Coast low—Sand covered with low Fir Trees. At eleven 
arrived at the Spider Islands, so called from the Quantity of Spiders 
which ison them. This Island is five Miles from the last Islands which 
are fifteen Miles from Norway House. Great Quantity of Raspberries, 
Currants, Gooseberries, Peas. At two o’clock we landed on a small Rock 
to enable our Men to make their Toilette in which they are great Dandies 
putting the coloured Feathers in their Hats which as north Men they 
have a Right to wear. At 3 we embarked and at 4 arrived at Norway 
House. Lake Winnipic is the great Reservoir of several large Rivers 
and discharges itself by the River Nelson into Hudson’s Bay; i.e., Red 
River, River Dauphin, Saskatchewane and several smaller Rivers on the 
East Side. The Course of the Lake is W.N.W. and 8.8.E. The East 
End is in Latitude 50.37° North. It contracts at about a quarter of its 
Length and is no more than two Miles broad. Discharge of Saskatche- 
wane 53.15°. The extreme Breadth of Lake Winnipic from the Poplar 
River on the East and Swaine’s Island on the West is about 55 Miles 
according to the Admeasurement of Mr. Peter Fidler. Norway House 
is an Establishment situated at the North East End of the Lake and is so 
called from its having been built by Norwegians. Its Situation is very 
fine; some fine Timber and about 4 acres of Land in Cultivation which 
produces excellent Wheat, Potatoes, &c. 
Saturday the 11th [ August]. 
Sunday the 12th. Mr. West performed divine Service. Married 
Mr. Kennedy’s Daughter to Mr. Isbister; christened 25 Children. 
Monday the 13th [August]. Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Sutherland and 
Mr. Clarke. 
Tuesday the 14th [August]. Peter Fidler married to an Indian 
Woman. 
Wednesday the 15th [ August]. 
Thursday the 16th. Took Leave.  Regretted most the Parting 
with my excellent Steersman, Bernard. Embarked at half past nine, 
parted with much Regret with Mr. Bird, whom to the Last I found 
useful and kind. 
Leaving Lake Winnipic we entered Play Green Lake; passed three 
Canoes with Indians, Swampy Indians, Crees.! This Lake may be 8 or 
10 miles in Length, and as much in Breadth. Entered Upper Jack 
River? Low Banks, Rocks, stunted Pines. Passed fishing Huts, White- 
fish, Sturgeon. A great many Windings. At half-past one landed to 

* Compare with this route Franklin’s First Journey to Polar Seas (London, 1823), 
chap. ii. 
2 Sea River? 
