In the Arctic Regions. 47 



long separation. Being accompanied by Mr. M 

 kenzie, of the Hudson's Bay Company, who was going 

 to [sle .-i la Crosse, with four Bledges under his charge, 

 we formed quite a procession, keeping in an Indian 

 file, in the tract of the man who preceded the foremost 

 dogs ; but, as the snow was deep, we proceeded 

 slowly on the Burface of the river, which is about three 

 hundred and fifty yards wide, for the distance of six 

 miles, which we went to-day. Its alluvial hanks and 

 islands areclothed with willows. At the place of our 

 encampment we could scarcely find sufficient pine 

 branches to floor "the hut," as the Orkney men term 

 tic place where travelers rest. Its preparation, how- 

 ever, consists only in clearing away the snow to the 

 ground, and covering that space with pine branches, 

 over which the party spread their blankets and coats, 

 and Bleep in warmth and comfort, by keeping a good 

 fire at their feet, without any other canopy than the 

 heaven, even though the thermometer should be far 

 1 elow zero. 



The arrival at the place of encampment gives imme- 

 diate occupation to every one of the party ; and i; 

 not until the sleeping-place has been arranged, and a 

 sufficiency of wood collected as fuel for the night, that 

 the lire is allowed to be kindled. The dogs alone 

 remain inactive during this limy BCOne, being '• 

 harnessed to their burdens until the men have leisure 



