OF THE POLAR SEA. 



133 



ment for us ; but we had witnessed too many proofs of their impor- 

 tunity to expect that we could pass the night near them in any com- 

 fort, whilst either spirits, tobacco, or sugar, remained in our posses- 

 sion ; and therefore preferred to go about two miles further along 

 the river, and to encamp among a cluster of fine pine-trees, after a 

 journey of sixteen miles. 



On the morning of the 15th, in proceeding along the river, we 

 perceived a strong smell of sulphur, and on the north shore found a 

 quantity of it scattered, which seemed to have been deposited by 

 some spring in the neighbourhood : it appeared very pure and good. 

 We continued our course the whole day along the river, which is 

 about four hundred yards wide, has some islands, and is confined 

 between low land, extending from the bases of the mountains on 

 each side. We put up at the end of thirteen miles, and were then 

 joined by a Chipewyan, who came, as we supposed, to serve as our 

 guide to Pierre au Calumet, but as none of the party could commu- 

 nicate with our new friend, otherwise than by signs, we waited pa- 

 tiently until the morning to see what he intended to do. The wind 

 blew a gale during the night, and the snow fell heavily. The next 

 day our guide led us to the Pembina River, which comes from the 

 southward, where we found traces of Indians, who appeared to have 

 quitted this station the day before ; we had, therefore, the benefit of 

 a good track, which our dogs much required, as they were greatly fa- 

 tigued, by having dragged their loads through very deep snow for the 

 last two days. A moose deer crossed the river just before the party t 

 this animal is plentiful in the vicinity. We encamped in a pleasant 

 well sheltered place, having travelled fourteen miles. 



We had made but a short distance the following morning, when 

 we came to some Indian lodges, which belonged to an old Chipewyan 

 chief, named the Sun, and his family, consisting of five hunters, 

 their wives, and children. They were delighted to see us, and when 

 the object of our expedition had been explained to them, ex- 



