In the Arctic Regions. 399 
met a canoe, manned by four of our Canadian voya- 
gers, whom Dr. Richardson had sent with some letters 
that had arrived at Fort Norman from the Athabasca 
Lake ; and as the services of the men were wanted, 
they were embarked in the boats, and the canoe was 
left. Shortly afterwards we overtook Beaulieu, who 
had just killed a young moose deer, which afforded the 
party two substantial meals. At this spot, and gen- 
erally along the river, we found abundance of wild 
onions. 
We entered the Mackenzie River at eight in the 
evening, and the current being too strong for us to 
advance against the stream with oars, we had recourse 
to the tracking line, and traveled all night. It was 
fatiguing, owing to large portions of the banks having 
been overthrown by the disruption of the ice, and 
from the ground being so soft that the men dragging 
the rope sank up to the knees at every step ; but 
these impediments were less regarded than the cease- 
less torment of the musquitoes. We halted to sup at 
the spot where Sir A. Mackenzie saw the flame rising 
from the bank in.1789. The precipice was still on 
fire, the smoke issuing through several apertures. 
Specimens of the coal were procured. - 
Sunday We reached Fort Norman at noon on the 
25th. On the following morning the provision and 
stores which had been left at this place were exam- 
