Page:Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America.djvu/269

Rh from the establishment, with two men, for the first twelve days of the month, on a survey of that arm of the lake which I discovered and partially examined in December. It is bounded on the eastern side by a continuation of the primitive rocky range of hills seen by Dr. Richardson. These attain an elevation of six or eight hundred feet, where M'Tavish Bay approaches closest to the Coppermine River, in lat. 66° 40′ N., long. 117° 20′ W. This terminating point being nearer the river, by at least one half, than Fort Confidence, it was my intention to examine the interjacent country; but, upon proceeding some distance, it became so rugged and mountainous as to be impracticable with dogs and sledges, far less with boats. Thus concluded my winter excursionsr on Great Bear Lake and the barren lands, exceeding in all a thousand miles.

On the 13th of May I laid aside my snowshoes; but our last Indian couriers to Fort Simpson started on the 15th with these necessary appendages, which continued in use by the natives during the remainder of the month. I had formerly walked in the depth of winter