CHIPEWYAN TO BLACK LAKE 



while ashore at Cypress Point — a long sandy beach timbered 

 with jack-pine woods extending a mile or more out into the 

 lake — we observed a sail not far ahead. A sail-boat in these 

 waters was an unusual sight, but on this occasion we were 

 able to guess its meaning. It was Mr. Eeed with his party 

 returning from Fort Fond-du-Lac (now a small winter post 

 only) to Chipewyan with the last winter's trade. We had 

 been told we would likely meet .him on the lake, and here he 



A CLUMP OF JACK-PINES. 



came before the breeze in his big York boat. As he ap- 

 proached and sighted us, he made in to where we were, and 

 ran his boat on the sandy beach. In the party, besides Mr. 

 Eeed, the young trader, were two French priests returning 

 frouj their season's labor among the Indians. One of them, 

 now an old man, had spent the greater part of his life in 

 mission work in this district, and- was about laying down his 

 commission, to be succeeded by his younger companion. As 

 it was nearly noon, our men were instructed, though it was 



53 



