In the Arctic lie<jion8. 49 



The uexl day we pursued our course along the 

 river ; the dogs had the greatest difficulty In dragging 

 their heavy hardens through the snow. We halted 

 to refresh them at the foot of Sturgeon River, and 

 obtained the latitude 53° 51' 41" X. This is a small 

 Btream, which issues from a neighboring lake. We 

 encamped near to Musquito Point, having walked 

 about nine miles. The termination of the day's 

 journey was a great relief to me, who had been 

 Buffering during the greater part of it, in consequence 

 of my feet having been galled by the snow-shoes ; 

 this, however, is an evil which few escape on their 

 initiation to winter traveling. It excites no pity 

 from the more experienced companions of the journey, 

 who travel on as fast as they can, regardless of the 

 pain of the sufferer. 



Mr. Isbester, and an Orkney man, joined us from 

 Cumberland House, and brought some pemmican 

 which we had left behind ; a supply which was sea- 

 Bonable after our recent loss. The general occupation 

 of Mr. [sbester during tie- winter, is to follow or find 

 out the Indians, and collect their furs, and his present 

 journey will appear adventurous to persons accustomed 

 to the certainty of traveling on a well-known road. 

 He is going in search of a band of Indians, of whom 

 no information had been received since last October, 



his only guide foi finding them was their pror 



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