In the Arctic Regions. 77 
the Athabasca Lake, which is the boundary of their 
peregrinations to the northward. Having been ap- 
prized of our coming, they had prepared an encamp- 
ment for us; but we had witnessed too many proofs 
of their importunity to expect that we could pass the 
night near them in any comfort, whilst either spirits, 
tobacco, or sugar, remained in our possession ; and 
therefore preferred to go about two miles further 
along the river, and to encamp among a cluster of 
fine pine trees, after a journey of sixteen miles. 
On the morning of the 15th, in’ proceeding along 
the river, we perceived a strong smell of sulphur, and 
on the north shore found a quantity of it scattered, 
which seemed to have been deposited by some spring 
in the neighborhood : it appeared very pure and good. 
We continued our course the whole day along the 
river, which is about four hundred yards wide, has 
some islands, and is confined between low land, ex- 
tending from the bases of the mountains on each side. 
We put upat the end of thirteen miles, and were then 
joined by a Chipewyan, who came, as we supposed, 
to serve as our guide to Pierre au Calumet, but as 
none of the party could communicate with our new 
friend, otherwise than by signs, we waited patiently 
until the morning to see what he intended to do. 
The wind blew a gale during the right, and the snow 
fell heavily. The next day our guide led us to the 
