OF THE POLAR SEA. 165 



These large families are fed during the 

 greatest part of the year on fish, which are 

 principally procured at Beaver Lake, about 

 fifty miles distant. The fishery commencing 

 with the first frosts in autumn, continues 

 abundant till January, and the produce is 

 dragged over the snow on sledges, each 

 drawn by three dogs, and carrying about 

 two hundred and fifty pounds. The journey 

 to and from the lake occupies five days, 

 and every sledge requires a driver. About 

 three thousand fish, averaging three pounds 

 a piece, were caught by the Hudson's Bay 

 fishermen last season ; in addition to which 

 a few sturgeon were occasionally caught in 

 Pine Island Lake ; and towards the spring 

 a considerable quantity of moose meat was 

 procured from the Basquiau Hill, sixty or 

 seventy miles distant. The rest of our 

 winter's provision consisted of geese, salted 

 in the autumn, and of dried meats and 

 pemmican, obtained from the provision 

 posts on the plains of the Saskatchawan. 

 A good many potatoes are also raised at 

 this post, and a small supply of tea and 



