148 Thirty Years 
On the 7th the wind changing to the southward, 
dispersed the clouds which had obscured the sky for 
several days, and produced a change of temperature 
under which the snow rapidly disappeared. The 
thermometer rose to 73°, many flies came forth, mus- 
quitoes shewed themselves for the first time, and one 
swallow made its appearance. We were the more 
gratified with these indications of summer, that St. 
Germain was enabled to commence upon the repair of 
the canoes, and before night had completed the two 
which had received the least injury. Augustus killed’ 
two deer to-day. 7 
_ On the 10th the dip of the magnetic needle being 
observed, shewed a decrease of 22° 44", since last 
autumn. ‘The repairs of the third canoe were finished 
this evening. 
The snow was now confined to the bases of the hills, 
and our Indian hunter told us the season was early. 
The operations of nature, however, seemed to us very 
tardy. We were eager to be gone, and dreaded the 
lapse of summer, before the Indians would allow it 
had begun. 
On the 11th the geese and ducks had left the 
vicinity of Fort Enterprize, and proceeded to the 
northward, Some young ravens and whiskey-johns 
made their appearance at this time. 
On the 12th, Winter River was nearly cleared of 
