Here we were gratified with the view of a very large tent.  Its length was about forty feet, its breadth eighteen, and its covering was moose-deer leather with apertures for the escape of the smoke from the fires which are placed at each end; a ledge of wood was placed on the ground on both sides the whole length of the tent, within which were the sleeping-places, arranged probably according to families; and the drums and other instruments of enchantment were piled up in the centre.  Amongst the Indians there were a great many half-breeds who led an Indian life.  Governor Williams gave a dram and a piece of tobacco to each of the males of the party.

On the morning of the 21st a heavy fall of snow took place which lasted until two in the afternoon.  In the evening we left the Saskatchewan and entered the Little River, one of the two streams by which Pine Island Lake discharges its waters.  We advanced today fourteen miles and a quarter.  On the 22nd the weather was extremely cold and stormy and we had to contend against a strong head wind.  The spray froze as it fell and the oars were so loaded with ice as to be almost unmanageable.  The length of our voyage this day was eleven miles.

Cumberland house.

The following morning was very cold; we embarked at daylight and pulled across a part of Pine Island Lake about three miles and a half to Cumberland House.  The margin of the lake was so encrusted with ice that we had to break through a considerable space of it to approach the landing-place.  When we considered that this was the effect of only a few days’ frost at the commencement of winter we were convinced of the impractibility of advancing further by water this season, and therefore resolved on accepting Governor Williams’ kind invitation to remain with him at this post.  We immediately visited Mr. Connolly, the resident partner of the North-West Company, and presented to him Mr. McGillivray’s circular letter.  He assured us that he should be most desirous to forward our progress by every means in his power, and we subsequently had ample proofs of his sincerity and kindness.  The unexpected addition of our party to the winter residents at this post rendered an increase of apartments necessary; and our men were immediately appointed to complete and arrange an unfinished building as speedily as possible.

November 8.

Some mild weather succeeded to the severe frosts we had at our arrival; and the lake had not been entirely frozen before the 6th; but this morning the ice was sufficiently firm to admit of sledges crossing it.  The dogs were harnessed at a very early hour and the winter operations commenced by sending for a supply of fish from Swampy River where men had been stationed to collect it just before the frost set in.  Both men and dogs appeared to enjoy the change; they started in full glee and drove rapidly along.  An Indian who had come to the house on the preceding evening