208 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA. 



up in my blankets. The third team consisted of only 

 four dogs and, in a carryall, hauled my brother and some 

 of the baggage ; and at the rear of the train trotted 

 another full team of six dogs with Louis, the sick 

 Iroquois, and the camp outfit. The rest of our men 

 walked behind or beside the various sleds, resting them- 

 selves by jumping on when the travelling was easy, as 

 it often was when crossing level plains or frozen ponds 

 of which latter there were very many. 



The day was beautifully bright and pleasant for one 

 travelling as I was, but for the drivers and dogs it was 

 much too warm for comfort. In many places the higher 

 ground was bare, and progress consequently slow. 



About noon a halt was made for lunch, and during 

 this time the opinion was expressed by the drivers that 

 we would not be able to reach the Fort until the next 

 day ; but upon being promised that if they would take 

 us in without having to spend another night in camp 

 they should have whatever remained of the supplies 

 they had brought us, they were induced to change their 

 minds, and acting upon the new inspiration we were 

 soon again on our way. In many places the low flat 

 plains we traversed were overgrown by clumps of swamp 

 willow, and around these many large flocks of ptarmi- 

 gan were seen. About three o'clock in the afternoon we 

 reached Grassy Island, at the bottom of Button's Bay, 

 and two hours later gained the base of a long range of 

 rocky hills. We skirted the foot of these for some time, 

 until we reached a low place in the ridge, where, dis- 

 mounting to lighten the loads, we turned up the steep 

 pass, and after a short climb to the crest found our- 

 selves within full view of Fort Churchill. It was not 



