We met some sledges laden with fish, kindly sent to meet us by Mr.Clark of the Hudson's Bay Company on hearing of our approach.

Towards the evening the weather became much more unpleasant and we were exposed to a piercingly cold wind and much snowdrift in traversing the Isle a la Crosse Lake; we were therefore highly pleased at reaching the Hudson's Bay House by six P.M.We were received in the most friendly manner by Mr.
Clark and honoured by volleys of musketry.

Similar marks of attention were shown to us on the following day by Mr.Bethune, the partner in charge of the North-West Company's fort.

I found here the letters which I had addressed from Cumberland in November last to the partners of the North-West Company in the Athabasca, which circumstance convinced me of the necessity of our present journey.
These establishments are situated on the southern side of the lake and close to each other.

They are forts of considerable importance being placed at a point of communication with the English River, the Athabasca and Columbia Districts.