The poor dogs had been toiling some days on the most scanty fare; their rapacity, in consequence, was unbounded; they forced open a deal box, containing tea, _&c._, to get at a small piece of meat which had been incautiously placed in it.
As soon as daylight permitted, the party commenced their march in expectation of reaching Carlton House to breakfast, but we did not arrive before noon, although the track was good.

We were received by Mr.
Prudens, the gentleman in charge of the post, with that friendly attention which Governor Williams's circular was calculated to ensure at every station; and were soon afterwards regaled with a substantial dish of buffalo steaks, which would have been excellent under any circumstances, but were particularly relished by us, after our travelling fare of dried meat and pemmican, though eaten without either bread or vegetables.

After this repast, we had the comfort of changing our travelling dresses, which had been worn for fourteen days; a gratification which can only be truly estimated by those who have been placed under similar circumstances.

I was still in too great pain from swellings in the ankles to proceed to La Montee, the North-West Company's establishment, distant about three miles; but Mr.Hallet, the gentleman in charge, came the following morning, and I presented to him the circular from Mr.S.Mac Gillivray.

He had already been furnished, however, with a copy of it from Mr.Connolly, and was quite prepared to assist us in our advance to the Athabasca.
Mr.Back and I having been very desirous to see some of the Stone Indians, who reside on the plains in this vicinity, learned with regret that a large band of them had left the house on the preceding day; but our curiosity was amply gratified by the appearance of some individuals, on the following and every subsequent day during our stay.
The looks of these people would have prepossessed me in their favour, but for the assurances I had received from the gentlemen of the posts, of their gross and habitual treachery.