We started at ten next morning.  The day was extremely hot and the men were soon jaded; their lameness increased very much and some not previously affected began to complain.  The dogs too showed symptoms of great weakness, and one of them stretched himself obstinately on the ice and was obliged to be released from the harness.  We were therefore compelled to encamp at an early hour, having come only four miles.  The sufferings of the people in this early stage of our journey were truly discouraging to them and very distressing to us, whose situation was comparatively easy.  I therefore determined on leaving the third canoe which had been principally carried to provide against any accident to the others.  We should thus gain three men to lighten the loads of those who were most lame, and an additional dog for each of the other canoes.  It was accordingly properly secured on a stage erected for the purpose near the encampment.  Dried meat was issued for supper but in the course of the evening the Indians killed two deer for which we immediately sent.

The channel of the lake through which we had passed today was bounded on both sides by islands of considerable height, presenting bold and rugged scenery.  We were informed by our guide that a large body of the lake lies to the northward of a long island which we passed.

Another deer was killed next morning but, as the men breakfasted off it before they started, the additional weight was not materially felt.  The burdens of the men being considerably lightened by the arrangements of last evening, the party walked at the rate of one mile and three-quarters an hour until the afternoon, when our pace was slackened as the ice was more rough and our lame companions felt their sores very galling.  At noon we passed a deep bay on the south side which is said to receive a river.  Throughout the day’s march the hills on each side of the lake bore a strong resemblance in height and form to those about Fort Enterprise.  We encamped on the north main shore among some spruce trees, having walked eight miles and a half.  Three or four fish were caught with lines through holes which the water had worn in the ice.  We perceived a light westerly current at these places.

It rained heavily during the night and this was succeeded by a dense fog on the morning of the 28th.  Being short of provisions we commenced our journey though the points of land were not discernible beyond a short distance.  The surface of the ice, being honeycombed by the recent rains, presented innumerable sharp points which tore our shoes and lacerated the feet at every step.  The poor dogs too marked their path with their blood.

NAVIGATION OF THE COPPER-MINE RIVER.