CHIPPEWYAN TO BLACK LAKE. 53 



a rough passage, so rough that the Doctor declared it 

 was the last time he would ever be a passenger on her in 

 such water, a not unwise resolution, for the steamer, 

 top-heavy and drawing only about three feet of water, 

 was not unlikely to roll over in rough weather. 



With the return of the Doctor, Captain Mills and the 

 Captain of the Grahame, we now formed a merry 

 party, and spent a pleasant evening at the Doctor's 

 house. Captain Mills and I talked over old-time adven- 

 tures in Hudson Straits, and recalled many incidents 

 from our mutual experiences in the north in bygone 

 days. But as the Doctor had determined to leave again 

 with the steamer on the following day for the Great 

 Slave Lake river posts, there was no time to be lost in 

 social pleasures. In compliance with my brother's re- 

 quest, sent by letter some months previously, Dr. Mc- 

 Kay had engaged the best available Indian guide to 

 accompany us from this place through Lake Athabasca 

 and as far beyond as he knew the country. With the 

 success of this arrangement we were greatly pleased, 

 as it was desirable that as little time as possible 

 should be lost in seeking trails and river routes. The 

 guide's name was Moberly a Christian name, though 

 borne by a full-blooded Chippewyan Indian, who, before 

 we were through with him, proved himself to be any- 

 thing but a Christian. He was acquainted with our 

 route for about one hundred miles to the northward 

 from Black Lake, and even in this distance his services, 

 we thought, would likely save us several days. 



The next morning the Fort was a scene of hurry and 

 bustle. Goods were landed from the steamer, cordwood 

 taken on board, and much other business attended to. 



