In the Arctic Regions. 117 
s 
birches grow, together with a variety of shrubs and 
berry-bearing plants. 
On the afternoon of the 2d of August we commen- 
ced our journey, having, in addition to our three canoes, 
a smaller one to convey the women ; we were all in 
high spirits, being heartily glad that the time had at 
length arrived when our course was to be directed to- 
wards the Copper-Mine River, and through a line of 
country which had riot been previously visited by any 
European. We proceeded to the northward, along the 
eastern side of a deep bay of the lake, passing through 
various channels, formed by an assemblage of rocky 
islands ; and, at sunset, encamped on a projecting 
point of the north main shore, eight miles from Fort 
Providence. To the westward of this arm, or bay, of 
the lake, there is another deep bay, that receives the 
waters of a river, which communicates with great Mar- 
ten Lake, where the North-West Company had once 
a post established. 
Aug. 3.—We embarked at three A. M. and proceed- 
ed to the entrance of the Yellow-Knife River of the 
traders, which is called by the Natives Beg-ho-lo-des- 
sy ; or, River of the Toothless Fish. We found Akait- 
cho, and the hunters with their families, encamped 
here. There were also several other Indians of his 
tribe, who intended to accompany us some distance 
into the interior. This party was quickly in motion 
