20 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



stopped by the weather during our long 

 journey, which was so near at an end. The 

 gale afterwards increased, the squalls at 

 night became very violent, disburdened the 

 trees of the snow, and gave us the benefit 

 of a continual fall of patches from them, in 

 addition to the constant shower. We there- 

 fore quickly finished our suppers, and re- 

 tired under the shelter of our blankets. 



March 26. — The boisterous weather con- 

 tinued through the night, and it was not 

 before six this morning that the wind be- 

 came apparently moderate, and the snow 

 ceased. Two of the Canadians were im- 

 mediately sent off with letters to the gentle- 

 men at Fort Chipewyan. After breakfast 

 we also started, but our Indian friend, 

 having a great indisposition to move in 

 such weather, remained by the fire. We 

 soon quitted the river, and after crossing a 

 portage, a small lake, and a point of land, 

 came to the borders of the Mamma-wee 

 Lake. We then found our error as to the 

 strength of the wind ; and that the gale still 

 blew violently, and there was so much drift- 



