ACKOSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA 



some distance in the rear, but Frangois was on hand to inter- 

 pret, and as we met, a halt was made. The first and most 

 natural question asked by the Indians was, " Where are 

 you going ?" " To h — ," was Frangois' prompt but rather 

 startling reply. In order that we might have an opportunity 

 of securing information about the country (not that to which 

 Frangois had alluded, however), it was decided that we should 

 all go ashore and " make tea " ; so our course was shaped for 

 the nearest beach, a mile or so away. Upon landing we 

 found that some of these Indians were men of whom Dr. 

 McKay had spoken as being shrewd, intelligent fellows. 

 From one old hunter in particular, named Sharlo, we obtained 

 interesting sketch-maps of canoe routes leading northward 

 from Lake Athabasca. Of course, tea and tobacco had been 

 served out before such information was sought, for no man 

 of experience would think of approaching an Indian for the 

 purpose of obtaining a favor without first having conferred 

 one. Our object accomplished, canoes were again launched 

 and the struggle with the east wind was renewed. Though 

 we travelled until 10.30 at night, we made only 16.4 knots 

 during the day, as indicated by the boat's log; and then, in 

 the mouth of the Fishing Eiver, we found a sheltered nook 

 in the thick woods for a camping ground. 



The next day, the high wind continuing and rain falling 

 freely, the lake was too rough for us to venture out. A col- 

 lection of all the many varieties of plants occurring in the 

 vicinity was carefully made. Nets were set out, and some 

 fine fish taken; trolls were also used with fair success, and 

 with my revolver, much to the amusement of the party, I 

 shot and killed, some distance under water, a fine large pike. 

 A few geese were seen also, but none could be secured. 



On the following morning, though it was still rainiirgji»the 

 wind had fallen, and we were able to go ahead. Because of 

 the wet we had great difiiculty in using our surveying instru- 

 ments and in making our field-notes. During the forenoon, 



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