244 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA. 



beneath the shelter of the evergreens. Beyond this our 

 course led through the woods to the north of the river, 

 and by many winding ways we journeyed on. 



On the morning of the third day the assisting team 

 from York, leaving its load with us, returned to the 

 Factory. A readjustment of loads was then made, and 

 with the two remaining teams we pushed on, though 

 now more slowly, for Oxford House. 



At about noon on the 1st of December we were 

 pleased to meet Mr. Mowat, returning with the long- 

 looked for mail and party, all safe. The delay in 

 the arrival of the mail had been caused by one of the 

 Indians becoming ill soon after leaving Norway House, 

 and having to return to that post. After a brief halt, 

 each party now having the advantage of the other 's- 

 track, we started on, pursuing opposite ways, they to 

 their solitary home on the ice-bound coast of Hudson 

 Bay, and we towards ours in the more genial south. 



At this time the temperature remained pretty steady 

 at about 25 degrees below zero, but with the exertion of 

 the march during the day, and the shelter of blankets 

 and the warmth of the camp-fire at night, we managed 

 to keep fairly comfortable. 



About sixteen miles beyond a large stream known as 

 Fox River we came upon an ancient track. This in 

 earlier days had been travelled by oxen and Red River 

 carts, and over it hundreds of tons of freight had annu- 

 ally been hauled ; but now it was so grown up with 

 trees that it often required the skill of the guide to keep 

 it. The track led directly to Oxford, so that from this, 

 forward it was to be our road. 



