Arthur stood enraptured with the extensive, romantic, and ravishing prospect. Mr. Roseberry, Arthur, and myself, indulged ourselves with contemplating the vast expanse. Beneath us flowed the Swan River, beautifully meandering for thirty miles. The valley, which is at once refreshed and adorned by it, is about three miles in breadth, and is confined by two lofty ridges of equal height, displaying a most delightful intermixture of wood and lawn, and stretching on till the blue mist obscures the prospect. Some parts of the inclining heights are covered with stately forests, relieved by promontories of the finest verdure, where the elk and buffalo find pasture. These are contrasted by spots where fire has destroyed the woods, and left a dreary void behind it. Amidst this sublime display of uncultivated nature, the moving scenery of human occupation completed the prospect.

From this elevated situation we looked down upon our fellow travellers, who appeared like pigmies, employed in pitching their tents in a charming meadow, amidst their canoes; which, being turned upon their sides, presented their reddened bottoms, in contrast with the surrounding verdure.

We were again frequently interrupted in our progress by carrying places; but after surmounting many difficulties, we reached Fort Chepewyan, standing on a point, on the southern side of the Lake of the Hills.

The season being now so far advanced as the

beginning

beginning of October, I have resolved to take up our winter quarters at this fort, with Mr Roseberry and others; though some of the people are dispatched up the Peace River, to trade with the Beaver and Rocky Mountain Indians; and others, for the same purpose, to the Slave River and Lake.

Mr. Roseberry, who is very attentive to provide for the wants of those under his command, having no dependence for winter stock, but the produce of the lake and the fishery, has ordered the nets to be prepared. These nets are sixty fathom long: a small stone and wooden buoy are fastened to the side line, opposite to each other, at the distance of two fathoms. When the net is carefully thrown into the water the stone sinks it to the bottom, while the buoy keeps it at its full extent; and it is secured in this position by a stone at either end. The nets are visited every day, and frequently taken out to be cleaned and dried. This is easily performed at present; but it will be a difficult task when the water is frozen five feet deep, which it generally is in the winter. Then the men are obliged to cut holes in the ice, at the distance of thirty feet from each other, to the full length of the net. By means of these openings, and with the assistance of poles, the nets are placed in, and drawn out of the water. Hooks and lines are also daily employed to provide a winter store. The white-fish are the principal objects of pursuit :

they spawn in the autumn, and towards the be ginning of the hard frost crowd in shoals to the shallow water; when as many as possible are taken, and preserved perfectly good, till April, in a frozen

state.

In spring and fall great numbers of wild-fowl frequent this country, which I suppose we shall consider a great treat, after having so long subsisted on fish alone, even without the addition of vegetables.

In the fall of the year, the natives meet the traders at the forts, where they barter such furs of provisions as they have to sell; they then obtain credit, and proceed to hunt beavers: whence they do not return till the beginning of the year, when they are again fitted out in the same manner, and come back the latter end of March or the beginning of April. The greater part of the Chepewyans resort to the barren grounds, and live, during the summer, with their relations, in the enjoyment of that plenty which they derive from numerous herds of deer. But those who are the most attached to these desarts, cannot remain there in winter; but are obliged, with the deer, to take shelter in the woods during the rigour of the season. Sometimes they contrive to kill a few beavers, which they send by young men to exchange for iron utensils and

ammunition.

Arthur's active mind is never at a loss for amusement; but the unvaried solitude of our present

situation,

situation, will not bear a comparison with the cheerful society we enjoyed last winter at Quebec and Montreal. Mr. Roseberry has travelled a

vast deal in this part of the country, and is well acquainted with the language and peculiar customs of different tribes, which makes him a very entertaining companion, and enables him to amuse many a dreary hour.

This letter will be dispatched to Canada, by the first company that returns thither with furs.

Present my kindest remembrances to all my European friends and connexions; and be assured that I am your affectionate brother.

HENRY FRANKLIN.

LETTER XLII.

Arthur Middleton to his Brother Edwin.

MY DEAR EDWIN,

Chepervyan.

THE rigours of winter are past, and our long confinement at this Fort ended, which is matter of rejoicing to me, for I am quite weary of the uniformity of our lives. We are to embark presently in a canoe, made of birch bark, on the south side of the Lake of the Hills, for a very distant country northwards. Our crew will consist

of

of Mr. Franklin, Mr. Roseberry, and four Canadians, with their two wives; and in another canoe will follow us an Indian chief, attended with two of his wives, besides two young Indians, who are his relations. Mr. Roseberry has engaged them to hunt for us, and to serve as interpreters with the natives. A third canoe is laden with our ammunition, provision, and clothes; besides a proper assortment of merchandise, as presents, to conciliate the favour of the savage tribes. Mr. Franklin, though determined, says we must prepare ourselves to encounter many dangers and hardships. I foresce nothing but pleasure, and feel not the least anxiety for the future. As pens, ink, and paper, form part of our stores, I shall keep a kind of journal, of which this is the beginning, though it cannot be forwarded to you till our return to the fort from whence it is dated.

Following a north-westerly direction, we entered Peace River, which at this spot exceeds a mile in breadth, and assumes the name of Slave River, on account of the Slave Indians, who were so called as a reproach, because they were driven from their own country by the Knisteneaux. At the mouth of the Dog River we landed and refreshed ourselves, whilst the canoes were gummed. Several rapids obliged the men to unload the canoes, and convey the goods overland, which fatigued them extremely; but the skill of the hunters prepared them a luxurious repast, of seven geese, a beaver,

and