In the Arctic B 87 



Expedition, and our proposed route; and to solicit 

 any information they possessed, or could collect, from 

 the Indians, relative to the countries we had to pass 

 through, and the best manner of proceeding. As the 

 Copper Indians frequent the establishment on the 

 north side of the lake, I particularly requested them 

 to explain to that tribe the object of our visit, and 

 to endeavor to procure from them some guides and 

 hunters to accompany our party. Two Canadians 



w! iv sent by Sir. Keith with these letters. 



The month of April commenced with fine and clear 

 hut extremely odd weather ; unfortunately we were 

 still without a thermometer, and could doI ascertain 

 the degrees of temperature. The coruscations of the 

 Aurora were very brilliant almosl every evening of the 

 firsl week, and wore generally of the most variable 

 kind. On the 3d, they were particularly changeable. 

 The first appearance exhibited three illuminated beams 

 issuing from the horizon in the north, east, and v. 

 points, and directed towards the zenith : in a few 

 seconds these disappeared, and a complete circle was 

 displayed, bounding the horizon at an elevation of 

 fifteen degrees, There was a quick lateral motion in 



the attenuated beams of which this /.one was compos- 

 ed. Its color was a pale yellow, with an occasional 

 tinge of red. 



On the 8th of April the Indians saw some geese in 



