In the Arctic Regions. 159 
1er, their father, who thought himself dying, having 
licited them to remain and close his eyes. These 
ve were furnished with ammunition, and sent for- 
ard to hunt on the south border of the lake, with 
irections to place any meat they might procure near 
» the edge of the lake, and set up marks to guide us 
» the spots. Akaitcho, his brother, the guide, and 
iree other men, remained to accompany us. We 
ere much surprised to perceive an extraordinary dif- 
rence in climate in so short an advance to the north- 
ard as fifty miles. The snow here was lying in large 
wtches on the hills. The dwarf-birch and willows 
ere only just beginning to open their buds, which 
id burst forth at Fort Enterprize many days previous 
-ourdeparture. Vegetation seemed to be three weeks 
‘a month later here than at that place. We had 
savy showers of rain through the night of the 22d, — 
hich melted the snow, and visibly wasted the ice. 
On the 23d, the men were busily employed in mak- 
g their trains, and in pounding the meat for pem- 
ican. The arrangements being completed, we 
irposed commencing our journey next morning, but 
e weather was too stormy to admit of our venturing 
yon the lake with the canoes. In the afternoon a 
‘avy fall of snow took place, which was succeeded by 
xet and rain. The north-east gale continued, but 
e thermometer rose to 39°. 
