In the Arctic Regions. 81 
were, would drag their load to the Athabasca Lake in 
less time than any three of theirs could. Having ex- 
pressed our surprise at his apparent temerity, he coolly 
- said the men from the lower countries did not under- 
stand the management of their dogs, and that he de- 
pended on his superior skill in driving ; and we soon 
gathered from his remarks, that the voyagers of the 
Athabasca department consider themselves as very su- 
perior to any other. The only reasons which he could 
assign were, that they had borne their burdens across 
the terrible Methye Portage, and that they were ac- 
customed to live harder and more precariously. 
March 25.—Having now the guidance of an old Ca- 
nadian, we sent forward the Indian, and one of our 
men, with letters to the gentleman at the Athabasca 
Lake. The rest of the party set off afterwards, and 
kept along the river until ten, when we branched off 
by portages into the Embarrass River, the usual chan- 
nel of communication in canoes with the lake. It is 
a narrow and serpentine stream, confined between al- 
luvial banks which support pines, poplars, and willows. 
We had not advanced far before we came up with the 
two men despatched by usthis morning. The stormy 
weather had compelled them to encamp, as there was 
too much drifting of the snow for any attempt being 
made to cross the lake. We were obliged, though 
most reluctantly, to follow eo example ; but we com- 
