CAIREEVVAN, TOVLLACK LAKE. 61 
their appearance on this uninhabited shore made a 
realistic picture of desolation and sadness. 
On the morning of the 29th of June, high west winds 
and heavy rain were again the order of the day, but 
venturing out, we made a fast run before the wind and 
reached the Fort in a heavy sea. Fond-du-Lac is a fort 
only in name, and consists in all of two or three small 
log shanties and a little log mission church, situated 
on a bare, exposed sandy shore, without any shelter from 
the fierce winter storms which hold high carnival in 
this country six or seven months of the year. Having 
already met the white residents of Fond-du-Lac on the 
lake, most of their houses, few though they were, were 
locked up or deserted. ‘Two or three Indians and their 
families were living at the place, and with one of them 
letters were left with a hope that they might be taken 
safely to Chippewyan, and thence forwarded by the 
Hudson’s Bay Company’s autumn packet to Edmonton. 
This was undoubtedly the last chance, though only a 
chance, of sending any news to our friends until we 
should return to civilization. 
From Fond-du-Lac eastward the lake is quite narrow, 
having much the appearance of a broad river. It is 
only five miles in width, but extends a distance of fifty 
miles. On the south shore could be seen a large 
group of Indian lodges, and at this camp was the home 
of our guide. It was here that his family were to be 
left, so we all went across to the Indians’ encampment. 
Moberly now appeared to be very indifferent as to 
whether or not he should go any farther with us. 
Indeed he seemed more inclined to remain with his 
friends, for to accompany us meant more exertion for 
