OPENING OF SPRING. 387 



The monotony which characterises a winter in 

 the north was but seldom broken in upon during our 

 condition of vegetation at Eort Simpson, and we 

 gladly hailed the first signs of spring, and the 

 prospect of speedy deliverance from our " durance 

 vile." A Avild duck, harbinger of a more genial 

 season, was killed on the first of May, a goose was 

 shot next day, and the migrating birds now began 

 to flock in. On the 4th the long ice-bound river 

 burst its bonds, and, rising considerably, carried off 

 huge trees, and masses of drift-wood from the banks, 

 to add to the vast profusion which we had observed 

 on the shores of the ocean, to the westward of the 

 Mackenzie's mouth. 



Om* party had received an increase during the 

 winter by the arrival of Mr. W. Lane, who was to 

 take charge of Eort de Liard in the spring. Upon 

 the breaking up of the ice this gentleman prepared 

 to depart for his post, and I had the good fortune to 

 share his journey, as I could return with the party 

 which would bring down the furs collected during 

 the past season. 



Mr. Lane had been many years a resident in the 

 Hudson Bay Company's territories, and enlivened 

 our trip with many a pleasant joke and anecdote. 

 One of these was truly remarkable, and would 



c c 2 



