clothing necessary on the voyage, a requisite assortment of articles of
merchandise as presents, to ensure them a friendly reception among the
Indians; and such arms and ammunition as were considered necessary for
defence, as well as for the use of the hunters.

Crossing the south-western extremity of the _Lake of the Hills_, they
entered the _Slave river_, and steered, along that river, in a northerly
direction. On the ensuing day they arrived at the foot of a succession
of rapids; and, in the course of twelve miles, were obliged five times
to unload the canoes, and carry the luggage considerable distances
overland. One of the Indian canoes was borne, by the fury of the
current, down the last of the cataracts, and was dashed to pieces. The
hunters here killed seven geese, four ducks, and a beaver. The progress
of the boats was much impeded by ice.

The banks of the river, both above and below the rapids, were covered
with wood. This was more particularly the case on the western side,
where the land was low, and had a black and rich soil. The eastern banks
were somewhat elevated; and the soil was a yellow clay, mixed with
gravel. At a little distance from the banks were extensive plains,
frequented by numerous herds of buffaloes; and the woods, adjacent to
the river, were inhabited by elks and rein-deer. The habitations of
beavers were seen in all the small lakes and rivers; and the swamps
adjacent to the Slave-river, were sometimes covered with wild-fowl.

In the morning of the 9th the voyagers arrived at the _Great Slave
Lake_. Here they experienced a most uncomfortable change in the weather,
which became extremely cold. The lake was still frozen; and they were
obliged to delay their progress for several days, until they could
effect a passage across it. In the mean while they occupied themselves
in fishing and hunting, for the purpose of adding to their stock of
provisions. They had more or less rain almost every day.

On the 20th the ice had somewhat given way, and they recommenced their
voyage, in a north-westerly direction. A few days after this, they
landed on the main land, at three lodges of _Red-knife Indians_, so
called from the copper knives which they use. M. le Roux purchased, of
these Indians, some packs of beaver and marten-skins; and Mr. Mackenzie
had several consultations with them concerning the country he was about
to traverse; but he could obtain from them no information that was
important to th