THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. Li 
IN THE MACKENZIE, RIVER DISTRICT. 
Read before the Hamilton Association March r2th, 1903. 
IBM. Jo Wo TW NORIRIBILIES (C5 1854 ID4 Mla Se 
"Twas the 1st of April (All Fools Day) of the year 1900, 
when during the early morning hours, a motley procession of 
white men, Indians, and dog teams, might have been seen wend- 
ing their way northward along a narrow winding woodland 
trail towards the southern shore of Great Slave Lake. Winter 
had about taken its departure, and given way to Spring, for the 
air was mild and balmy, and in passing it was observed that the 
red willows were already in bud. 
The melting snow had disappeared so rapidly that it had 
been a close race with us to gain the ice of the Great Lake be- 
fore the ground should become entirely bare, and it was there- 
fore with feelings of relief and mutual congratulations that we 
emerged from the woods and exchanged the heavy wet and 
muddy trail for the firm, broad, boundless expanse of white ice 
which spread out before us. . 
Much though we appreciated the change, even more so did 
our six teams of noble dogs enjoy it, for as they reached the ice 
. they broke off into a furious gallop straight across a great bay, 
on the other side of which could be faintly discerned the build- 
ings of the Hudson’s Bay Post—Fort Resolution. There was 
still a little snow upon, the ice, though more slush and water, 
but our sleds now ran so easily that the dogs seemed to fly, and 
in a very short time we found ourselves landed at the gateway 
to the Fort. 
Here we were most heartily welcomed by M. Gaudett, the 
H. B. officer, and his clerks, who very kindly took us in charge 
and provided the best accommodation at their disposal. Natu- 
rally one of my first questions after finding myself settled at the 
Fort, was in regard to my supplies—some 6,000 pounds which 
