We observed the traces of herds of buffaloes, where they had crossed the river, the trees being trodden down and strewed, as if by a whirlwind.
At four P.M.we left the main branch of the Athabasca, entering a small river, called the Embarras.

It is narrow and muddy, with pines of an enormous size on its banks.

Some of them are two hundred feet high, and three or four feet in diameter.

At nine P.M.we landed and encamped; but finding ourselves in a nest of musquitoes, we continued our journey before day-break; and at eight A.M., emerged into the Athabasca Lake.

A strong wind agitated this sea of fresh water, which, however, we crossed without any accident, and landed on the north side of it, at Fort Chipewyan; where we had the satisfaction of finding our companions in good health, and of experiencing that sympathy in our anxiety on the state of affairs, which was only to be expected from those who were to share our future fortunes..