82 Thirty Years 
forted ourselves with the reflection that this was the 
first time we had been stopped by the weather during 
our long journey, which was ‘so near at an end. The 
gale afterwards increased, the squalls at, night became 
very violent, disburthened the trees of the snow, and 
gave us the benefit of a continual fall of patches from 
them, in addition to the constant shower. We there- 
fore quickly despatched our suppers, and retired under 
the shelter of our blankets, 
' March 26.—The boisterous weather continued 
through the night, and it was not before six this morn- 
ing, that the wind became apparently moderate, and the 
snow ceased. ‘T'wo of the Canadians were immediately 
sent off with letters to the gentlemen at Fort Chipew- 
yan. After breakfast we also started, but our Indian 
friend, having a great indisposition to move in such 
weather, remained by the fire. We soon quitted the 
river, and after crossing a portage, a small lake, and a- 
point of land, came'to the borders of the Mam-ma- 
wee Lake. We then found our error as to the strength 
of the wind ; and that the gale still blew violently, 
and there was so much drifting of the snow as to 
cover the distant objects by which our course could be 
directed. We fortunately got a glimpse through this 
cloud of a cluster of islands in the direction of the 
‘houses, and decided on walking towards them ; but in 
doing this we suffered very much from the cold, and 
