OF THE POLAR SEA. 95 



considerable space of it to approach the 

 landing-place. When we considered that 

 this was the effect of only a few days' frost 

 at the commencement of winter, we were 

 convinced of the impracticability of ad- 

 vancing further by water this season, and 

 therefore resolved on accepting Governor 

 Williams's kind invitation to remain with 

 him at this post. We immediately visited 

 Mr. Connolly, the resident partner of the 

 North- West Company, and presented to 

 him Mr. Mac Gillivray's circular letter. 

 He assured us that he should be most de- 

 sirous to forward our progress by every 

 means in his power, and we subsequently 

 had ample proofs of his sincerity and kind- 

 ness. The unexpected addition of our 

 party to the winter residents at this post, 

 rendered an increase of apartments neces- 

 sary; and our men were immediately ap- 

 pointed to complete and arrange an un- 

 finished building as speedily as possible. 



November 8. — Some mild weather suc- 

 ceeded to the severe frosts we had at our 

 arrival ; and the lake had not been entirely 



