Indeed my legs and ankles were now so swelled that it was excessive pain to drag the snowshoes after me.

At night we halted on the banks of Stony River, when I gave the men a glass of grog to commemorate the new year, and the next day, January 2, we arrived at Fort Chipewyan, after a journey of ten days and four hours--the shortest time in which the distance had been performed at the same season.

I found Messrs.

G.Keith and S.McGillivray in charge of the fort, who were not a little surprised to see me.

The commencement of the New Year is the rejoicing season of the Canadians when they are generally intoxicated for some days.