“Wednesday, the 10th.—­My guides appeared very unwilling to quit their encampment this morning, pretending indisposition.  They might have been really ill; but the beastly manner in which they had been gorging themselves for the past two days being well known to be the cause of their illness, no one felt disposed to pity them.  I therefore sprang into their encampment, and pitching the remainder of their choice morsels into the snow, drove them out before me.  Travelled through woods the whole day.  Encamped at half-past three.  Eighteen miles.

“Thursday, the 11th.—­Started at five, A.M.  Soon fell on a large lake, on which we travelled till three, P.M., when we encamped.  Thus far the lake extends S.E. and N.W., being about two miles in width.  As Mr. Erlandson was the first European who had traversed these inhospitable wilds, I had the gratification of giving his name to the lake.  It is reported by the natives to abound in fish of the best quality; rein-deer are also said to be numerous at certain seasons of the year.  Proceeded fifteen miles.

“Friday, the 12th.—­Being immoderately cold, and the wind blowing direct in our faces, we could not attempt travelling on the lake.

“Saturday, the 13th.—­Weather fine.  Left Erlandson’s Lake about one, A.M.; it still stretched out before us as far as the eye could reach, and cannot be less than forty miles in length; its medium breadth, however, does not exceed two miles and a half.  The circumjacent country is remarkably well wooded, even to the tops of the highest hills, and is reported by the natives to abound in martens.  A few industrious Indians would not fail to turn such advantages to good account; but they can avail the Company very little, while the natives alone are in possession of them.  Went on twenty-four miles.

“Sunday, the 14th.—­Set off at five, A.M.  Passed over several small lakes; the country well wooded.  Entered upon a small river about noon, the banks covered with large pine.  Encamped at three, P.M.  Advanced sixteen miles.

“Monday, the 15th.—­Took our departure at seven, A.M.  Travelled without halting the whole day.  Eighteen miles.

“Tuesday, the 16th.—­Decamped at five, A.M.; the snow very deep in the woods.  Fell on Whale River at ten, A.M.  The face of the country presents scarcely any variety; from Erlandson’s Lake to this river it is generally well wooded, but afterwards becomes extremely barren, nothing to be seen on both sides of the river but bare rocks.  Proceeded sixteen miles.

“Wednesday, the 17th.—­Started at five, A.M.  Our route in the morning led us through a chain of small lakes, and brought us out again on Whale River, on which we travelled till four, P.M.  The appearance of the country much the same as described yesterday.  Proceeded eighteen miles.

“Thursday, the 18th.—­P.  Neven being unable to travel from indisposition, I resolved on passing the day to await the issue, deeming his malady to be of no very serious nature.  In the meantime I took an exact account of my provisions which I found to be so far reduced, that no further assistance was required for its conveyance.  I accordingly made the necessary arrangements to send the men back.