17 



From Lake Pipmaukin a portage route was followed up a small 

 river emptying into the lake, and then through a number of small lakes 

 westward into the Manouan "River, a branch of the Peribonka, which 

 flows into Lake St. John. This river was ascended to a large lake of 

 the same name at its head. But few pleasant days had been experi- 

 enced since leaving Lake Pipmaukin, and here on Oct. 5th we had our 

 first snowstorm about 5 inches falling, part of which never left the 

 ground. From here the men were sent by a similar portage route to 

 the Peribonka River with half loads, as the small streams would not 

 permit full loads being carried. On their return, fearing to be frozen 

 up before ascending the Peribonka, it was resolved to push on as far as 

 possible before the ice rendered canoe travel impossible, so the Peribonka 

 was reached and ascended, a distance of 30 miles to a small western 

 branch on the route to Mistassini. This branch was followed six miles 

 to a small lake, which was found to be frozen over, and so oar canoe 

 voyage ended Oct. 23rd. No one was sorry, for the travelling, owing 

 to the cold stormy weather, was extremely disagreeable ; the paddles 

 were often caked with ice, and only by vigorous paddling could a 

 moderate warmth be kept in the body, while the feet were always cold, 

 and several times we were obliged to stop during the day and build fires 

 to restore the circulation in our benumbed hands and feet. 



From Oct. 23 to Nov. 29th we remained at this small lake, the 

 men being engaged making snowshces and long narrow toboggans, on 

 which our provisions and outfit were now to be transported. Here 

 traps were set and hunting indulged in. The traps caught a couple of 

 otters, some mink, and a few martens. Good sport was had shooting 

 muskrats on the ice before the lake froze solid, and a stew of these 

 animals proved very acceptable after our long diet of salt pork. Before 

 winter set in little game had been seen, a few spruce partridges, 

 sheldrakes, fish eating ducks, whistlers and sea gulls only being shot, 

 but everything in the shape of fresh meat went into the pot and was 

 eaten with relish, On Oct. 25th the first ptarmigan were seen, and 

 from that time continued to be killed in moderate numbers. 



These birds in the winter pass southward from their breeding 

 grounds in the barren lands some distance north of Mistassini, and feed 

 on the buds of willows growing in the marshes and around the lakes. 



