Soon after we had encamped the snow fell heavily which was an advantage to us after we had retired to rest by its affording an additional covering to our blankets.

The next morning at breakfast time two men arrived from Carlton on their way to Cumberland.

Having the benefit of their track we were enabled, to our great joy, to march at a quick pace without snowshoes.

My only regret was that the party proceeded too fast to allow of Mr.Back's halting occasionally to note the bearings of the points and delineate the course of the river* without being left behind.

As the provisions were getting short I could not therefore with propriety check the progress of the party; and indeed it appeared to me less necessary as I understood the river had been carefully surveyed.