88 Land Magnetic Observations, 1911-13 



were good but the positions faulty. From Pakhoan Lake to Trout Lake, the region covered 

 by us was an absolute blank on the maps. 



After my return from Birch Lake we continued northward to Pakhoan Lake. We 

 met here a party of prospectors who were investigating the minerals of the region from 

 Hudson to Lake Windigo and back to Cat Lake and to Winnipeg. They reported a total 

 absence of anything worth looking at. By them we were able to send out letters, our 

 previous opportimities having been at Cat Lake, Osnaburgh, and Lac Seul, from which 

 points valuable mail may safely be sent. At the time of our trip, the route which we took 

 by way of Windigo Lake and Trout (Fawn) Lake was unmapped and known only to the 

 local Indians. It is used by the Indians of the region on account of the numerous lakes 

 and streams where fish are abundant. We found it an exceedingly trying and difficult 

 stretch, involving very many difficult portages and frequent changes of guides. One portage 

 was 3.5 miles in length and difficult and took us a day and a half. Some of the lakes were 

 stormy and occasionally held us up. On one lake, while trying to reach a suitable camp, 

 we flew before the wind, all sails up, at a tremendous speed. On Trout Lake we took 

 advantage of such a hold-up to take some declination readings, but were unable to obtain 

 an azimuth. 



Arrived at Trout Lake, we were again in a well-mapped region. The traveling was 

 easier, as it was downstream. Instead of the oft times tiny, almost impassable waterways, 

 we canoed down a gradually widening river, the Fawn, to its junction with the Severn, 

 forming a swift and large stream. There were comparatively few portages, and the going 

 was good. The Indians, as they got nearer Fort Severn, became more enthusiastic, expecting 

 a grand time at that place. We found the post crowded with Indians, many of them from 

 Trout Lake, who had come down with the factor of the Hudson's Bay Company to get 

 the supplies of the Cat Lake post. The little steamer bringing these supplies from Nelson 

 to Fort Severn had not yet arrived, and the food at Fort Severn was practically at an end. 

 All the supplies at Cat Lake had been used up and that place was practically deserted. 

 We were, however, hospitably received at Fort Severn and waited patiently, expecting 

 daily to have to trust to our luck with the gun for further immediate food. Luckily the 

 little vessel at last appeared, but only with provisions for the Cat Lake post. From these 

 enough was requisitioned for our use by the Fort Severn factor to see us through to Atta- 

 wapiskat, but the food was not very varied, consisting for the greater part of flour, water, 

 and bacon. At Severn we made a series of declination readings, besides the usual magnetic 

 observations. It is the first place after Lac Seul, and possibly Osnaburgh, where a fair 

 check on chronometer rates would be possible. From here no other check occurs before 

 Attawapiskat and Albany. 



On account of the scarcity of food at the posts, it was now impossible to obtain guides. 

 No one cared to leave his family unless certain provision could be made at the post for their 

 care. We did obtain an Indian to help us to Winisk and another one on to Attawapiskat, 

 both of whom proved rather incompetent. Our own Indians had by this time made up 

 their minds to take whatever came along in the way of adventure, but it still took some time 

 for them to get over their terror of the winds and waves of the open bay shore. The 

 traveling was much different from the river work. Once out from land, no landing was 

 made till we put in for camp. A supply of food and fresh water or tea was carried for the 

 day. Sometimes we were caught out on the water by heavy storms and it was not possible 

 always to get to shore. No more serious result happened than a scare for the Indians and 

 a soaking of ourselves and of the provisions with salt water. 



Along the whole line of coast of Hudson Bay and far into James Bay we found floating 

 ice, sometimes forming an almost unbroken line of ice masses, at other times more scattered. 

 This ice was sometimes several miles off shore, but on account of the shallow water we were 

 often compelled to skirt along it. At other times it lay close in and we proceeded through 



