In the Arctic Regions. 95 



CHAPTER V. 



EARLY this morning the stores were distributed 

 to the three canoes. Our stock of provision unfortu- 

 nately did not amount to more than sufficient for one 

 day's consumption, exclusive of two Barrels of flour, 

 three rases of preserved meats, some chocolate, arrow- 

 root, and portable soup, which we had brought from 

 England] and intended to reserve for our journey to 

 the coast next season. Seventy pounds of moose meat 

 and a little barley were all that Mr. Smith was ena- 

 bled to give us. It was gratifying, however, to per- 

 ceive that this scarcity of food did not depress the 

 spirits of our Canadian companions, who cheerfully 

 loaded their canoes, and embarked in high glee after 

 they had r< ceived the customary dram. At noon we 

 bade farewell to our kind friend Mr. Smith. The 

 crews commenced a lively paddling Bong on quitting 

 the shore, which was continued until we had lost 

 Bight of the houses. We soon reached the wastern 

 boundary of the lake, and at two entered the Stoney 

 Iviver, 0U0 of the discharges of the Athabasca Lake, 



