Captain Back would never be stopped by the mosquitoes!"

"As he proceeded onwards, ducks and geese were seen, as well as tern, gulls, and plovers, with now and then a pelican. Then he very often had to surmount portages. A portage is a place where a fall of water compels travellers to carry, or drag their packages and canoes up and down the broken rocks, till they get to smooth water again. This is very hard work."

"Had they many things to carry with them."

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Yes, boys. There was all their provision, and ironwork, bales of leather, oil-cloths, and many other necessary things. Well, they reached the Great Slave Lake. The Indians tried to dissuade the captain from going to the river Thlew-ee-choh. 'Go not,' said they, 6 on the terrible river! When our fathers warred with the Esquimaux, they went upon it. Did they come back? No! They are in the land of spirits. Our old and wise men only know their names.' "Poor Indians! They were afraid of the river themselves."

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They were, boys; but Captain Back was not, so he pushed on, and reached the river: he ascended Hoar Frost River also. Different tribes of Indians were seen, Chipewyans and Yellow Knives. In one swampy place, the sand-flies rose in such clouds, and the faces of the men were so bitten by them, that they were covered with blood. At last, it became necessary to build a house to winter in, by the side of a lake. Here Captain Back did not forget the goodness of God: prayers

and praises were offered up to him for his almighty protection."

"That was just as it ought to be. That is the way to prosper, Captain Back!"

"The old sea Captain has been in many a storm, and a feeling conviction of the goodness of God has afforded him more confidence and peace than the stout ribs of the ship, that were between him and the raging deep. Captain Back had an odd kind of food with him, called pemmican, made by the Indians of sun-dried flesh of the buffalo, pounded, and then mixed with melted fat." "That was an odd kind of food, indeed!"

"We know not what cold is in this country, boys; at least, such cold as they have to endure in the northern regions. When any of the men washed their faces, their hair was sure to be hung with icicles before they could use their towels, if only a yard from the fire. During the winter, Captain Back was very kind to the poor halfstarved Indians, who came to him for assistance. What do you think was the name he gave to his house?" "That would be very hard to guess indeed."

"He called it Fort Reliance, to show his confidence in God. An Indian chief, named Akaitcho, joined the expedition, and rendered great service. One of his sayings was a very curious one: Better that ten Indians should die, than one white man fall through our bad faith or neglect.'

"Well done, Akaitcho!"

"This Indian chief hunted for them, and cheerfully shared toil and peril on their account, and Captain

Back much valued him. Well! all at once, when it was not expected, the news came that Captain Ross had arrived safe in England. Captain Back assembled his men, and gave thanks to God for his merciful providence in restoring, seemingly from the depths of the ocean, the men whose absence had so long been lamented. That day was a day of rejoicing to the whole party."

"No doubt it was. How glad they would be!"

"You must not think that Captain Back set off directly on his return. No, boys! He had undertaken to explore, as far as he could, that part of the frozen regions; and he was not the man to return before he had done his best."

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Ay! He was a bold captain! Just the very man to be sent on an expedition.'

"I will tell you how he knew that the mild weather was coming a goose flew by Fort Reliance, and five or six more were seen on the following day. The next living thing seen was a fly, and after that abundance of gulls, gros-beaks, yellowlegs, and robins, and at last butterflies. Off set Captain Back, and soon, though the ground was frostbound under foot, it became very hot over head. It mattered not whether the party were on the land or the water, for their boat would travel on either. When on the water, it swam; and when on the ice, it was drawn along by two men, assisted by half-adozen very fine dogs. It would never do, boys, for me to overhaul one-half the difficulties they overcame, or the dangers they escaped. They were not daunted by

them, and on they went, after parting with the Indian chief, Akaitcho, pulling their boats up the rough rocks, and shooting down the watery rapids. Sometimes, their hearts were lifted up with hope of useful discoveries, and at others they had to bear disappointments; yet, on they went, without a murmur, never neglecting, as the sabbath came round, to assemble together, to engage in Divine worship with thankful hearts."

"They were a set of true-hearted seamen, and deserved to be rewarded for doing their duty."

Very willingly would Captain Back have done more than he did, but the thing was impossible; for the ground was so rugged, and the falls so fearful, that what with the close-wedged ice of the river continually checking him, and the thick fogs obscuring his course, he was at last compelled to think of returning home."

"If ever man acted a brave part, Captain Back did, and the bold fellows with him."

"You would have liked a peep at them, boys, just before they turned back; for the British flag was unfurled on the point they had reached, and, with three hearty British cheers, the spot was taken possession of as the land of King William the Fourth. When Captain Back had returned to Fort Reliance, he passed the winter there with his party, not idly, but usefully, for observations were made, journals were written, and charts constructed; to say nothing of the sketches that were drawn, and the instruction of different kinds that was given to the men. After this, he returned home. And now, boys, we must leave Captain Back and his bold followers;

and do not forget to pray that the blessing of that almighty and merciful Being, who preserved them in their hardships, may rest upon them to their lives' end. As long as they live, they have, indeed, reason to say, 'Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!'" Psa. cvii.