A short distance on the following morning brought us to some Indian lodges which belonged to an old Chipewyan chief named the Sun and his family consisting of five hunters, their wives and children.  They were delighted to see us and, when the object of our expedition had been explained to them, expressed themselves much interested in our progress; but they could not give a particle of information respecting the countries beyond the Athabasca Lake.  We smoked with them and gave each person a glass of mixed spirits and some tobacco.  A Canadian servant of the North-West Company who was residing with them informed us that this family had lost numerous relatives, and that the destruction of property which had been made after their deaths was the only cause for the pitiable condition in which we saw them as the whole family were industrious hunters and therefore were usually better provided with clothes and other useful articles than most of the Indians.  We purchased from them a pair of snowshoes in exchange for some ammunition.  The Chipewyans are celebrated for making them good and easy to walk in; we saw some here upwards of six feet long and three broad.  With these unwieldy clogs an active hunter, in the spring when there is a crust on the surface of the snow, will run down a moose or red-deer.

We made very slow progress after leaving this party on account of the deep snow, but continued along the river until we reached its junction with the Athabasca or Elk River.  We obtained observations on an island a little below the Forks which gave longitude 111 degrees 8 minutes 42 seconds West, variation 24 degrees 18 minutes 20 seconds East.  Very little wood was seen during this day’s march.  The western shore near the Forks is destitute of trees; it is composed of lofty perpendicular cliffs which were now covered with snow.  The eastern shore supports a few pines.

March 18.

Soon after our departure from the encampment we met two men from the establishment at Pierre au Calumet, who gave us correct information of its situation and distance.  Having the benefit of their track we marched at a tolerably quick pace and made twenty-two miles in the course of the day though the weather was very disagreeable for travelling, being stormy with constant snow.  We kept along the river the whole time:  its breadth is about two miles.  The islands appear better furnished with wood than its banks, the summits of which are almost bare.  Soon after we had encamped our Indian guide rejoined us; he had remained behind the day before without consulting us to accompany a friend on a hunting excursion.  On his return he made no endeavour to explain the reason of his absence but sat down coolly and began to prepare his supper.  This behaviour made us sensible that little dependence is to be placed on the continuance of an Indian guide when his inclination leads him away.