In the Arctic Regions. 79 



hunters, and, therefore, were usually better provii 

 with clothes, and other useful articles, than most of 

 the Indians. We purchased from them a pair of 

 snow-shoes, in exchange for some ammunition. 'I 

 Chipewyana are celebrated for making them good and 



- to walk in ; we saw some here upwards of six 

 feel long, and three broad ; with these unwieldy el 

 an active hunter, in the spring, when there is a crust 

 on the surface of the snow, will run down a moose or 

 red deer. 



We made very slow progress after leaving this party, 

 on account of tie- deep snow, hut continued along the 

 river until we reached its junction with the Atha- 

 basca, or Elk River. Very little wood has been seen 

 during this day's march. The western shore, near the 

 I rks, is destitute of trees; it is composed of lofty 

 perpendicular cliffs, which are now covered with snow. 

 The eastern shore supports a few pirns. 



March 1M. — Soon after our departure from the en- 

 campment we met two men, from the establishment 

 a' Pierre an Calumet, who gave us correct inform :- 

 tion dt' the Bltuation and distance. Having tie- bene- 

 tit of their track, we inarched at a tolerably quick 

 pace, ami made twenty-two miles in the course i f 

 day, though the weather was wry disagreeable for 

 traveling, being stormy, with constant snow. \\ e 

 kept along the river the whole time ; its breadth i- 



