OF THE POLAR SEA. 



167 



CHAPTEE V. 



Mr. Hood's Journey to the Basquiau Hill— Sojourns with an Indian Party— His Journey to 



Chipewyan. 



1820. T>_ . 



March. JDLIinG desirous of obtaining a drawing of a moose deer, 

 and also of making some observations on the height of the Aurora, 

 I set out on the 23rd, to pass a few days at the Basquiau Hill. 

 Two men accompanied me, with dogs and sledges, who were going 

 to the hill for meat. We found the Saskatchawan open, and were 

 obliged to follow it several miles to the eastward. We did not, 

 then, cross it without wading in water, which had overflowed the 

 ice ; and our snow shoes were encumbered with a heavy weight for 

 the remainder of the day. On the south bank of the Saskatchawan 

 were some poplars ten or twelve feet in circumference at the root. 

 Beyond the river, we traversed an extensive swamp, bounded by 

 woods. In the evening we crossed the Swan Lake, about six miles 

 in breadth, and eight in length, and halted on its south side for 

 the night, twenty-four miles S.S.W. of Cumberland House. 



At four in the morning of the 24th we continued the journey, and 

 crossed some creeks in the woods, and another large swamp. These 

 swamps are covered with water in summer, to the depth of several 

 feet, which arises from the melted snow from the higher grounds. 

 The tracks of foxes, wolves, wolverenes, and martens, were very 

 numerous. The people, employed in carrying meat, set traps on 

 their way out, and take possession of their captures at their return, 



