The Weather During My Abode At Chipewyan Was Generally Mild With
Occasional Heavy Storms, Most Of Which Were Anticipated By
The activity
of the Aurora Borealis; and this I observed had been the case between
Fort Providence and the Athabasca
In December and January, though not
invariably so in other parts of the country. One of the partners of the
North-West Company related to me the following singular story: He was
travelling in a canoe in the English River and had landed near the Kettle
Fall when the coruscations of the Aurora Borealis were so vivid and low
that the Canadians fell on their faces and began praying and crying,
fearing they should be killed; he himself threw away his gun and knife
that they might not attract the flashes for they were within two feet
from the earth, flitting along with incredible swiftness and moving
parallel to its surface. They continued for upwards of five minutes as
near as he could judge and made a loud rustling noise like the waving of
a flag in a strong breeze. After they had ceased the sky became clear
with little wind.
February 9.
Having got everything arranged and had a hearty breakfast with a coupe de
l'eau de vie (a custom amongst the traders) I took my departure or rather
attempted to do so for, on going to the gate, there was a long range of
women who came to bid me farewell. They were all dressed (after the
manner of the country) in blue or green cloth, with their hair fresh
greased, separated before, and falling down behind, not in careless
tresses but in a good sound tail, fastened with black tape or riband.
This was considered a great compliment and the ceremony consisted in
embracing the whole party.
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