NORTHERN OCEAN 115 



are generally most esteemed when broiled or roasted with the 1771. 

 scales on, of course the skin is not eaten. January. 



[72] As the Captain [Matonabbee] and one man were 3d. 

 indisposed, we did not move on the second of January ; but 

 early in the morning of the third set out, and walked about 

 seven miles to the North Westward, five of which were on 

 the above mentioned Lake ; when the Indians having killed 

 two deer, we put up for the night. 



Island Lake (near the center) is in latitude 60° 45' North, 

 and 102° 25' West longitude, from London; and is, at the 

 part we crossed, about thirty-five miles wide : but from the 

 North East to the South West it is much larger, and entirely 

 full of islands, so near to each other as to make the whole 

 Lake resemble a jumble of serpentine rivers and creeks ; and 

 it is celebrated by the natives as abounding with great plenty 

 of fine fish during the beginning of the Winter. At different 

 parts of this Lake most part of the wives and families of those 

 Northern Indians who visit Prince of Wales's Fort in October 

 and November generally reside, and wait for their return ; as 

 there is little fear of their being in want of provisions, even 

 without the assistance of a gun and ammunition, which is 

 a point of real consequence to them. The Lake is plentifully 

 supplied with water from several small rivulets and creeks 

 which run into it at the South West end ; and it empties 

 itself by means of other small rivers which run to the North 

 East, the principal of which is Nemace-a-seepee-a-fish, or Little 

 Fish River. Many of the islands, [73] as well as the main 

 land round this Lake, abound with dwarf woods, chiefly pines ; 

 but in some parts intermixed with larch and small birch trees. 

 The land, like all the rest which lies to the North of Seal 

 River, is hilly, and full of rocks ; and though none of the 

 hills are high, yet as few of the woods grow on their summits, 

 they in general show their snowy heads far above the woods 

 which grow in the vallies, or those which are scattered about 

 their sides. 



