338 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



guide pointed, that distance would place the eastern part of Bear 

 Lake in 118|° W. longitude. 



Beyond this spot the river is diminished in breadth, and a suc- 

 cession of rapids are formed ; but as the water was deep, we passed 

 through them without discharging any part of the cargoes. It still 

 runs between high ranges of mountains, though its actual bounda- 

 ries are banks of mud mixed with clay, which are clothed with 

 stunted pines. We picked up a deer which the hunters had shot, 

 and killed another from the canoe ; and also received an addition to 

 our stock of provision of seven young geese, which the hunters 

 had beaten down with their sticks. About six P.M. we perceived a 

 mark on the shore, which, on examination, was found to have been 

 recently put up by some Indians ; and, on proceeding further, we 

 discerned stronger proofs of their being near to that spot ; we, 

 therefore, encamped, and made a large fire as a signal, which they 

 answered in a similar way. Mr. Wentzel was immediately sent, in 

 expectation of getting provision from them. On his return, we 

 learned that the party consisted of three old Copper Indians, with 

 their families, who had supported themselves with the bow and 

 arrow since last autumn, not having visited Fort Providence for 

 more than a year ; and so successful had they been, that they were 

 enabled to supply us with upwards of seventy pounds of dried 

 meat, and six moose skins fit for making shoes, which were the more 

 valuable, as we were apprehensive of being barefooted before the 

 journey could be completed. The evening was sultry, and the 

 musquitoes appeared in great numbers. The distance made to-day 

 twenty-five miles. 



On the following morning we went down to these Indians, and 

 delivered to them notes on the North- West Company, for the meat 

 and skins they had furnished ; and we had then the mortification of 

 learning, that not having people to carry a considerable quantity 



