NEARING PELICAN NARROWS 205 



Toward evening we passed out of Reindeer 

 River on to the Churchill River, and thence 

 through an overland route east of Frog Portage, 

 on to the Lake of the Woods ; where we camped 

 for the night within one day's journey of Pelican 

 Narrows. 



The inland country which we passed through 

 to-day was irregular and mountainous, necessi- 

 tating steep climbing and awkward descents for 

 our sleds. Poplar trees are now encountered 

 in plenty, which trees were rarely seen in Fort 

 Du Brochet territory. 



January 4. — Pushing onward, we kept the 

 sleds going steadly all day, often over long and 

 bad overland bush-trails. 



This day was dull in the morning, but the after- 

 noon broke particularly fine ; bright sunshine 

 shone in a soft, wistful sky, and there was no 

 bitter wind ; fresh-fallen snow lay unruffled 

 on the lakes, white as the finest linen ; sunbeams 

 glittered ; and to add to this, we were passing 

 through particularly picturesque country — narrow 

 lakes lying peacefully between high, forest- covered 

 hills. ' 



About twelve miles north of Pelican Narrows 

 we crossed fresh tracks of Woodland Caribou, 

 which was the first and only retreat of this animal 

 encountered throughout the expedition. 



About 5 p.m., considerably excited at the 

 prospect of reaching a settlement, we neared 

 Pelican Narrows, and soon afterwards drew up 

 before the Hudson Bay trading store, to be made 

 cordially welcome by the Factor. 



Before reaching the Post, J'Pierre had pointed 

 15 



