284 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



so vivid and low, that the Canadians fell on their faces, and began 

 praying and crying, fearing they should be killed ; he himself threw 

 away his gun and knife, that they might not attract the flashes, 

 for they were within two feet from the earth, flitting along with 

 incredible swiftness, and moving parallel to its surface. They con- 

 tinued for upwards of live minutes, as near as he could judge, and 

 made a loud rustling noise, like the waving of a flag in a strong 

 breeze. After they had ceased, the sky became clear, with little 

 wind." 



February 9. — Having got every thing arranged, and having had a 

 hearty breakfast (with a coup de 1'eau de vie, a custom amongst the 

 traders), I took my departure, or rather attempted to do so, for 

 on going to the gate there was a long range of women, who came 

 to bid me farewell. They were all dressed (after the manner of 

 the country) in blue or green cloth, with their hair fresh greased, 

 separated before, and falling down behind, not in careless tresses, 

 but in a good sound tail, fastened with black tape or riband. This 

 was considered a great compliment, and the ceremony consisted in 

 embracing the whole party. 



I had with me four sledges, laden with goods for the Expedition, 

 and a fifth one belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company. We re- 

 turned exactly by the same route, suffering no other inconvenience 

 but that arising from the chafing of the snow-shoe, and bad weather. 

 Some Indians, whom we met on the banks of the Little Buffalo 

 River, were rather surprised at seeing us, for they had heard that 

 we were on an island, which was surrounded by Esquimaux. The 

 dogs were almost worn out, and their feet raw, when, on February 

 the 20th, we arrived at Moose-deer Island with our goods all in 

 good order. Towards the end of the month two of our men ar- 

 rived with letters from Lieutenant Franklin, containing some fresh 

 demands, the major part of which I was fortunate enough to pro- 

 cure without the least trouble. Having arranged the accounts and 



