CEPR EV VAN LO) BLACK LAKE: 53 
a rough passage, so rough that the Doctor declared it 
was the last time he would ever be a passenger on her in 
such water, a not unwise resolution, for the steamer, 
top-heavy and drawing only about three feet of water, 
was not unlikely to roll over in rough weather. 
With the return of the Doctor, Captain Mills and the 
Captain of the Grahame, we now formed a merry 
party, and spent a pleasant evening at the Doctor's 
house. Captain Mills and I talked over old-time adven- 
tures in Hudson Straits, and recalled many incidents 
from our mutual experiences in the north in bygone 
days. But as the Doctor had determined to leave again 
with the steamer on the following day for the Great 
Slave Lake river posts, there was no time to be lost in 
social pleasures. In compliance with my brother's re- 
quest, sent by letter some months previously, Dr. Mc- 
Kay had engaged the best available Indian guide to 
accompany us from this place through Lake Athabasca 
and as far beyond as he knew the country. With the 
success of this arrangement we were greatly pleased, 
as it was desirable that as little time as possible 
should be lost in seeking trails and river routes. The 
guide’s name was Moberly—a Christian name, though 
borne by a full-blooded Chippewyan Indian, who, before 
we were through with him, proved himself to be any- 
thing but a Christian. He was acquainted with our 
route for about one hundred miles to the northward 
from Black Lake, and even in this distance his services, 
we thought, would likely save us several days. 
The next morning the Fort was a scene of hurry and 
bustle. Goods were landed from the steamer, cordwood 
taken on board, and much other business attended to. 
