FOET CHIPEWYAIT TO FOKT M'MUKEAY 107 



solitary spots should be, one would think, the breeding- 

 grounds of the pelican, though it is said this bird really 

 breeds on islands in the Great Slave River. If disturbed 

 by man it is reputed to destroy its young and desert the place 

 at once. 



The Barren Ground reindeer migrate to the east end of 

 this lake in October, and return in March or April, but this 

 is not certain. Sometimes they unaccountably forsake their 

 old migratory routes, causing great suffering, in conse- 

 quence, to the Indians. Moose frequent the region, too, 

 but are not numerous, whilst land game, such as prairie 

 chickens, ptarmigan, and a grouse resembling the " fool- 

 hen," is rather plentiful. 



The Indians of Fond du Lac are healthy, though somewhat 

 uncleanly in their habits, and fond of dress, which is that of 

 the white man, their women being particularly well dressed. 



As an agricultural country the region has no value what- 

 ever; but its mineral resources, when developed, may prove 

 to be rich and profitable. Mining projects were already 

 afoot in the country, but far to the north on Great Slave 

 Lake. 



What was known as the " Helpman Party " was formed 

 in England by Captain Alene, who died of pneumonia in 

 December, 1898, three days after his arrival at Edmonton. 

 The party consisted of a number of retired army officers, 

 including Viscount Avonmore, with a considerable capital, 

 $50,000 of which was expended. They brought some of 

 their outfit from England, but completed it at Edmonton, 

 and thence went overland late in the spring. But sleighing 

 being about over, they got to Lesser Slave Lake with great 

 difficulty, and there the party broke up, Mr. Helpman and 

 others returning to England, whilst Messrs. Jeffries and Hall 

 Wright, Captain Hall, and Mr. Simpson went on to Peace 

 River Crossing. From there they descended to Smith's 

 Portage, on the Great Slave River, and wintered at Fort 

 Resolution, on Great Slave Lake. 



