254 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



sledges. Our companions said the ice of 

 this river is always in the same insecure 

 state, even during the most severe winter, 

 which they attributed to warm springs. 

 Quitting the river, we crossed a portage 

 and came upon the Methye Lake, and soon 

 afterwards arrived at the trading posts on 

 its western side. These were perfect huts, 

 which had been hastily built after the com- 

 mencement of the last winter. We here 

 saw two hunters who were Chipewyan half- 

 breeds, and made many inquiries of them 

 respecting the countries we expected to 

 visit, but we found them quite ignorant of 

 every part beyond the Athabasca Lake. 

 They spoke of Mr. Hearne and of his com- 

 panion Matonnabee, but did not add to our 

 stock of information respecting that journey. 

 It had happened before their birth, but 

 they remembered the expedition of Sir 

 Alexander Mackenzie towards the sea. 



This is a picturesque lake, about ten miles 

 long and six broad, and receives its name 

 from a species of fish caught in it, but not 

 much esteemed ; the residents never eat 



