Our companions said the ice of this river is always in the same insecure state, even during the most severe winter, which they attributed to warm springs.

Quitting the river we crossed a portage and came upon the Methye Lake and soon afterwards arrived at the trading posts on its western side.

These were perfect huts which had been hastily built after the commencement of the last winter.
We here saw two hunters who were Chipewyan half-breeds and made many inquiries of them respecting the countries we expected to visit, but we found them quite ignorant of every part beyond the Athabasca Lake.

They spoke of Mr.Hearne and of his companion Matonnabee, but did not add to our stock of information respecting that journey.

It had happened before their birth but they remembered the expedition of Sir Alexander Mackenzie towards the sea.
This is a picturesque lake about ten miles long and six broad and receives its name from a species of fish caught in it but not much esteemed; the residents never eat any part but the liver except through necessity, the dogs dislike even that.