OF THE POLAR SEA. 11 



along the river the whole time ; its breadth 

 is about two miles. The islands appear 

 better furnished with wood than its banks, 

 the summits of which are almost bare. 

 Soon after we had encamped our Indian 

 guide rejoined us ; he had remained behind 

 the day before, without consulting us, to 

 accompany a friend on a hunting excursion. 

 On his return he made no endeavour to 

 explain the reason of his absence, but sat 

 down coolly, and began to prepare his sup- 

 per. This behaviour made us sensible that 

 little dependance is to be placed on the 

 continuance of an Indian guide, when his 

 inclination leads him away. 



Early the next morning we sent forward 

 the Indian and a Canadian, to apprize the 

 gentlemen in charge of Pierre au Calumet of 

 our approach, and, after breakfast, the rest 

 of the party proceeded along the river for 

 that station, which we reached in the after- 

 noon. The senior partner of the North- 

 West Company in the Athabasca department, 

 Mr. J ohn Stuart, was in charge of the post. 

 Though he was quite ignorant until this 



