OF THE POLAR SEA, 



203 



afterwards regaled with a substantial dish 

 of buffalo steaks, which would have been 

 excellent under any circumstances, but were 

 particularly relished by us, after our tra- 

 velling fare of dried meat and pemmican, 

 though eaten without either bread or vege- 

 tables. After this repast, we had the com- 

 fort of changing our travelling dresses, 

 which had been worn for fourteen days ; a 

 gratification which can only be truly esti- 

 mated by those who have been placed under 

 similar circumstances. I was still in too 

 great pain from swellings in the ankles to 

 proceed to La Montee, the North-West 

 Company's establishment, distant about 

 three miles ; but Mr. Hallet, the gentleman 

 in charge, came the following morning, and 

 I presented to him the circular from Mr. 

 S. Mac Gillivray. He had already been 

 furnished, however, with a copy of it from 

 Mr. Connolly, and was quite prepared to as- 

 sist us in our advance to the Athabasca. 

 i Mr. Back and I having been very desi- 

 rous to see some of the Stone Indians, who 

 reside on the plains in this vicinity, learned 



