142 FOKT SIMPSON. Jul*, 



water River we came to the commencement of the 

 Rapid, and hauling the coble on the beach there, 

 proceeded on foot to the " Hill," immediately below 

 " the Rapid," where we encamped. While on our 

 march we perceived that the bridge of ice was 

 giving way, and the river directly fell some feet. 

 Early next morning Bruce went back with the men 

 for the coble, and brought it down by the time 

 that Mr. Bell and I had prepared breakfast for the 

 party. After concluding that meal, we crossed 

 the river in her obliquely, among high walls of 

 ice ; and a mile or two below came to the barge 

 which the crew had brought up so far two days 

 previously. A short time sufficed to launch her, 

 embark the tents kindly provided for us by 

 Mr. M'Pherson, and descend to the mouth of 

 Bear Lake River, where we passed the night- 

 Next day we went on to Fort Norman, where I 

 purposed to wait for Mr. M'Pherson, who had gone 

 to Fort Good Hope to bring up the year's returns 

 of furs from that post, and from the Peel and 

 Porcupine Rivers.' 



On his arrival on the 14th I sent back the 

 small barge, to bring down Narcisse, Brodie, and 

 the stores, and embarking with Messrs. Bell and 

 M'Pherson proceeded to Fort Simpson. The rest 

 of the journey homewards, being by the same route 

 as the outward voyage, need not be mentioned in 

 detail. 



