In the Arctic Regions. 95 
CHAPTER V. 
‘saunas, EARLY this morning the stores were distributed 
to the three canoes. . Our stock of provision unfortu- 
nately did not amount to more than sufficient for one 
day’s consumption, exclusive of two barrels of flour, 
three cases of preserved meats, some chocolate, arrow- 
root, and portable soup, which we had brought from 
England, and intended to reserve for our journey to 
the coast next season. Seventy pounds of moose meat 
and a little barley were all that Mr. Smith was ena- 
bled to give us. It was gratifying, however, to per- 
ceive that this scarcity of food did not depress the 
spirits of our Canadian companions, who cheerfully 
loaded their canoes, and embarked in high glee after 
they had received the customary dram. At noon we 
bade farewell to our kind friend Mr. Smith, The 
crews commenced a lively paddling song on quitting 
the shore, which was continued until we had lost 
sight of the houses. We soon reached the wastern 
boundary of the lake, and at two entered the Stoney 
River, one of the discharges of the Athabasca Lake, 
