BACK'S LAND EXPEDITION. 217 



and the trembling bark shot like an arrow out of the 

 current, and floated in safety on the still water under 

 the point. The whole thing, from beginning to end, 

 was the work of a few seconds ; yet who can describe 

 or comprehend the tumultuous gush of feelings created, 

 during these short seconds, in the bosoms of the care- 

 less voyageurs? The sudden, electric change from tran- 

 quil safety to the verge of almost certain destruction 

 and then deliverance ! 



On the 6th of June the canoes arrived at Fort Alex- 

 ander situated at the southern extremity of Lake 

 Wiuipeg. Here Back remained a few days, to await 

 the arrival of Governor Simpson. During this period 

 he and Mr. King made some observations on the dip of 

 the needle, while the men busied themselves in unpack- 

 ing and drying the provisions and packages. 



The mosquitos here were very numerous and annoy- 

 ing. Of the sand-flies, near the lakes, Back says, that 

 even the Indians do not contrive any way of escaping 

 this tormenting insect. Their usual mode is to throw 

 themselves on their faces to the ground, and to moan 

 with pain. Back thought of killing them by smoke ; 

 upon which Maufelly, his interpreter, expressed surprise 

 that he " should be so unlike the old chief, who would 

 not destroy a single mosquito/ 3 By the "old chief 

 was meant Sir John Franklin, of whom Back says : " It 

 was his custom never to kill a fly ; and, though teased 

 by them beyond expression, especially when engaged 

 in taking observations, he would quietly desist from his 

 work, and patiently blow the half-gorged intruders from 

 his hands: 'the world was wide enough for both.' 



Leaving Fort Alexander on the llth of June, Back 

 coasted Lake Winipeg, toward Norway House, where 

 he arrived on'the 17th. Here he obtained the requisite 

 Dumber of voyageurs and attendants, amounting to 



