OF THE POLAR SEA. !29 



We were presented by this gentleman, with the valuable skin 

 of a black fox, which he had entrapped some days before our arrival ; 

 it was forwarded to England with other specimens. 



Our observations place the North- West Company's house in 

 latitude 55° 53' 00" N., longitude 108° 51' 10" W. ; variation 22° 

 33" 22' E. 



The shores of Buffalo Lake are of moderate height, and well 

 wooded, but immediately beyond the bank the country is very 

 swampy and intersected with water in every direction. At some 

 distance from the western side there is a conspicuous hill, which we 

 hailed with much pleasure, as being the first interruption to the 

 tediously uniform scene we had for some time passed through. 



On the 10th we recommenced our journey after breakfast and 

 travelled quickly, as we had the advantage of a well-beaten track. 

 At the end of eighteen miles we entered upon the river " Loche" 

 which has a serpentine course, and is confined between alluvial banks 

 that support stunted willows and a few pines ; we encamped about 

 three miles further on ; and in the course of the next day's march 

 perceived several holes in the ice, and many unsafe places for the 

 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 situated on the western side of it. These were 

 perfect huts, which had been hastily built after the commencement 

 of the last winter. We here saw two hunters who were Chipewyan 

 half-breeds, and made many inquiries of them respecting the coun- 

 tries 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 companion Matonnabee, but did not add to our stock of 

 information respecting that journey. It had happened before their 



