On the 28th we had a strong and piercing wind from North-West in our faces and much snow-drift; we were compelled to walk as quick as we could and to keep constantly rubbing the exposed parts of the skin to prevent their being frozen, but some of the party suffered in spite of every precaution.  We descried three red-deer on the banks of the river and were about to send the best marksmen after them when they espied the party and ran away.  A supply of meat would have been very seasonable as the men’s provision had become scanty and the dogs were without food except a little burnt leather.  Owing to the scarcity of wood we had to walk until a late hour before a good spot for an encampment could be found and had then attained only eleven miles.  The night was miserably cold; our tea froze in the tin pots before we could drink it and even a mixture of spirits and water became quite thick by congelation; yet after we lay down to rest we felt no inconvenience and heeded not the wolves though they were howling within view.

The 29th was also very cold until the sun burst forth when the travelling became pleasant.  The banks of the river are very scantily supplied with wood through the part we passed today.  A long track on the south shore called Holms Plains is destitute of anything like a tree and the opposite bank has only stunted willows; but after walking sixteen miles we came to a spot better wooded and encamped opposite to a remarkable place called by the voyagers The Neck of Land.

A short distance below our encampment, on the peninsula formed by the confluence of the Net-setting river with the Saskatchewan, there stands a representation of Kepoochikawn which was formerly held in high veneration by the Indians and is still looked upon with some respect.  It is merely a large willow bush having its tops bound into a bunch.  Many offerings of value such as handsome dresses, hatchets, and kettles, used to be made to it, but of late its votaries have been less liberal.  It was mentioned to us as a signal instance of its power that a sacrilegious moose-deer, having ventured to crop a few of its tender twigs, was found dead at the distance of a few yards.  The bush having now grown old and stunted is exempted from similar violations.

On the 30th we directed our course round The Neck of Land which is well clothed with pines and firs; though the opposite or western bank is nearly destitute of wood.  This contrast between the two banks continued until we reached the commencement of what our companions called the Barren Grounds when both the banks were alike bare.  Vast plains extend behind the southern bank which afford excellent pasturage for the buffalo and other grazing animals.  In the evening we saw a herd of the former but could not get near to them.  After walking fifteen miles we encamped.  The men’s provision having been entirely expended last night we shared our small stock with them.  The poor dogs had been toiling some days on the most scanty fare; their rapacity in consequence was unbounded; they forced open a deal box containing tea, etc. to get at a small piece of meat which had been incautiously placed in it.