Except a short interval in the afternoon, rained without intermission all day and blowing fresh part of the day. Had the horses collected at day light and the man and Indian commenced loading them. At the same time I embarked & we proceeded up the River, and encamped a little Above the lake, a good days march considering the very bad weather. Very little more wind would have prevented us from crossing the Lake. The snow has in several places disappeared but on the hills and along the shores it is still thick. Wed.y. 18 Overcast fair mild weather. Proceeded on our journey at daylight and encamped late above the Stony Island Portage.[266] The snow along the shore and particularly at the portages, was very deep.-- Thursday 19 Weather as yesterday but colder.-- Continued our rout at an early hour, and encamped below the Chutes in the evening. About noon we passed the Crooked rapid after which there was very little snow to be seen. Found some Indians at the Barrier River[267] & traded some Venison from them which made us a good supper. Friday 20 Snowing and raining all day, very disagreeable weather. Embarked before sunrising and reached the F. Head House near dark. We were delayed some time at the Chutes gumming the canoes.--Found Mr. Kittson and the people all well.--Nothing material has occurred since I went off. Little done in the way of trade except of fresh provisions, some Inds. from above arrived with 14 deer which has served the people & saved dry provisions for some time back on account of the mild soft weather it is difficult to keep it from spoiling. The men have been employed, getting wood for a canoe, making troughs to (beat) meat & make pimmican, cutting cords, & putting an upper flooring in the house, etc.-- Satdy. 21 Cloudy fine pleasant weather, thawing.-- An Indian brought the carcass of a deer. Sunday 22 Mild pleasant weather. Monday 23 Cloudy cold weather sharp frost in the night. Six men with some horses were sent off for canoe timber with which they returned in the evening. The road was very bad as they had to ascend the mountains.--It is difficult to procure wood for canoes here now. Tuesday 24 Overcast soft weather. C. McKay and six men were sent up the river in a canoe to an Indian camp in expectation that they will be able to trade some fresh provisions. It is supposed they will be two days reaching the camp.[268] If we be able to procure some venison it will save the dry provisions.-- The Old freeman Paget and a man Pierre, were sent down to Thompson's Plain with the horses where the grass is better. Wed.y. 25th Overcast soft mild weather. Two men employed dressing canoe wood, the others cutting wood &c.-- Thursday 26 Weather as yesterday, some light snow. The men employed as yesterday. Two Kootany Indians arrived and traded Deer skins principally for ammunition. Friday 27 Disagreeable cold weather blowing fresh from the Northward. The men bent the timbers for the canoe.