﻿110 MR. BELL AND HIS PARTY. June, 



upper end of the lake, and entered the small creek 

 which leads to the portage. 



Mr. Bell was encamped at the landing-place, 

 having arrived on the previous day, which he had 

 spent in preparing and distributing the loads, and 

 the party had advanced one stage of different 

 lengths, according to the carrying powers of the in- 

 dividuals, which were very unequal. On visiting 

 the men, I found two of the sappers and miners 

 lame from the fatigue of crossing the numerous 

 carrying-places on Churchill River, and unfit for 

 any labour on this long portage. Several others 

 appeared feeble ; and, judging from the first day's 

 work of the party, I could not estimate the time 

 that would be occupied, should they receive no help 

 in transporting the boats and stores, at less than a 

 fortnight, which would leave us with little prospect 

 of completing our sea- voyage this season. In the 

 equal distribution of the baggage each man had 

 five pieces of ninety pounds' weight each, exclusive 

 of his own bedding and clothing, and of the boats, 

 with their masts, sails, oars, anchors, &c., which 

 could not be transported in fewer than two jour- 

 neys of the whole party. The Canadian voyagers 

 carry two pieces of the standard weight of ninety 

 pounds at each trip on long portages such as this, 

 and, in shorter ones, often a greater load. Se- 

 veral of our Europeans carried only one piece at 



