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 snow-shoes.

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[13], 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.

In the afternoon, we had to resume the incumbrance of the snow-shoes, and to pass over a rugged part where the ice had been piled over a collection of stones.