306 



ON SNOW-SHOES TO THE BARREN GROUNDS 



that made navigation at times somewhat hazardous. We 

 made very long days, and at three o'clock on the afternoon 

 of the third day out from the landing reached Athabasca 

 Lake. Here we found low water and a great deal of ice, 

 and were compelled to make a long detour, which brought 

 us to a point three miles from the post, where the ice was 

 solid, and we were obliged to leave our canoe and pack 



UNDER SAIL 



our luggage to the fort. They had told me at the landing 

 it was a four-day trip, but I had promised a pipe to each 

 of 'the Indians if we made it in less, so we all worked like 

 galley-slaves, and did it in three. Just how far it is I 

 cannot say. On snow-shoes you cut the points and go 

 straight, and it is 102 miles from Chipewyan to the land- 



