192 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



watching with half-closed eyes on the pine tops, started from their 

 airy rest, and prepared their drowsy pinions for the flight. 



About twenty miles from the Forks are some salt-pits and plains, 

 said to be very extensive. The height of the banks was reduced to 

 twenty or thirty feet, and the hills ranged themselves at an increased 

 distance from the banks in the same variety as those of the Clear 

 Water River. At sunset we encamped on a small sandy island, but 

 the next morning made a speedy retreat to the canoes, the water 

 having nearly overflown our encampment. We passed two deserted 

 settlements of the fur traders on opposite banks, at a place called 

 Pierre au Calumet. Beyond it the hills disappeared, and the banks 

 were no longer visible above the trees. The river carries away yearly 

 large portions of soil, which increases its breadth, and diminishes its 

 depth, rendering the water so muddy that it was scarcely drinkable. 

 Whole forests of timber are drifted down the stream, and choke up 

 the channels between the islands at its mouth. We observed the 

 traces of herds of buffaloes, where they had crossed the river, the 

 trees being trodden down and strewed, as if by a whirlwind. 



At four P.M. we left the main branch of the Athabasca, entering 

 a small river, called the Embarras. It is narrow and muddy, with 

 pines of an enormous size on its banks. Some of them are two 

 hundred feet high, and three or four feet in diameter. At nine P.M. 

 we landed and encamped ; but finding ourselves in a nest of mus- 

 quitoes, we continued our journey before day-break ; and at eight 

 A.M., emerged into the Athabasca lake. A strong wind agitated 

 this sea of fresh water, which, however, we crossed without any 

 accident, and landed on the north side of it, at Fort Chipewyan ; 

 where we had the satisfaction of finding our companions in good 

 health, and of experiencing that sympathy in our anxiety on the 

 state of our affairs, the reality of which was only to be expected 

 from those who were to share our future fortunes. 



