Though the weather was very cold we travelled more comfortably than at any preceding time since our departure from Cumberland as we had light carioles which enabled us to ride nearly the whole day warmly covered up with a buffalo robe.  We were joined by Mr. McLeod of the North-West Company who had kindly brought some things from Green Lake which our sledges could not carry.  Pursuing our route along the river we reached at an early hour the upper extremity of the Grand Rapid where the ice was so rough that the carioles and sledges had to be conveyed across a point of land.  Soon after noon we left the river, inclining North-East, and directed our course North-West until we reached Long Lake and encamped at its northern extremity, having come twenty-three miles.  This lake is about fourteen miles long and from three-quarters to one mile and a half broad, its shores and islands low but well wooded.  There were frequent snow-showers during the day.

ISLE A LA CROSSE.

February 23.

The night was very stormy but the wind became more moderate in the morning.  We passed today through several nameless lakes and swamps before we came to Train Lake which received its name from being the place where the traders procured the birch to make their sledges or traineaux; but this wood has been all used and there only remain pines and a few poplars.  We met some sledges laden with fish, kindly sent to meet us by Mr. Clark of the Hudson’s Bay Company on hearing of our approach.  Towards the evening the weather became much more unpleasant and we were exposed to a piercingly cold wind and much snowdrift in traversing the Isle a la Crosse Lake; we were therefore highly pleased at reaching the Hudson’s Bay House by six P.M.  We were received in the most friendly manner by Mr. Clark and honoured by volleys of musketry.  Similar marks of attention were shown to us on the following day by Mr. Bethune, the partner in charge of the North-West Company’s fort.  I found here the letters which I had addressed from Cumberland in November last to the partners of the North-West Company in the Athabasca, which circumstance convinced me of the necessity of our present journey.

These establishments are situated on the southern side of the lake and close to each other.  They are forts of considerable importance being placed at a point of communication with the English River, the Athabasca and Columbia Districts.  The country around them is low and intersected with water, and was formerly much frequented by beavers and otters which however have been so much hunted by the Indians that their number is greatly decreased.  The Indians frequenting these forts are the Crees and some Chipewyans; they scarcely ever come except in the spring and autumn, in the former season to bring their winter’s collection of furs and in the latter to get the stores they require.

Three Chipewyan lads came in during our stay to report what furs the band to which they belonged had collected and to desire they might be sent for, the Indians having declined bringing either furs or meat themselves since the opposition between the Companies commenced.  Mr. Back drew a portrait of one of the boys.