OF THE FUR TRADE, &c. Ixxxi

in depth; and that to the right by what is called la Riviere Creufe,
or Deep River, being a canal of ftill water, which is here four miles
wide. On following the laft courfe, Ifle a la Croffe Fort appears on a
low ifthmus, at the diftance of five miles, and is in latitude 55. 95. North,
and longitude 107. 48. Welt. -

This lake and fort take their names from the ifland juft mentioned,
which, as has been already obferved, received it denomination from the

game of the crofs, which forms a principal amufement among the
natives,

The fituation of this lake, the abundance of the fineft fith in the
world to be found in its waters, the richnefs of its f{urrounding banks and
forefts, in moofe and fallow deer, with the vaft numbers of the {maller
tribes of animals, whofe {kins are precious, and the numerous flocks of
wild fowl that frequent it in the {pring and fall, make it a moft defir-
able {pot for the conftant refidence of fome, and the occafional rendez-
vous of others of the inhabitants of the country, particularly of the
Knifteneaux.

Who the original people were that were driven from it, when con-
quered by the Knifteneaux is not now known, as not a fingle veftige re-
mains of them. ‘The latter,and the Chepewyans, are the only people that
have been known here; and it is evident that the laft-mentioned confider
themfelves as ftrangers, and feldom remain longer than three or four years,
without vifiting their relations and friends in the barren grounds, which
they term their native country. They were for fometime treated by

1 the

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