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MR. O B. S PRESENTIMENT. 277 



of tlie 26tli, for we determined to use very large 

 timber, for greater safety. We worked away in relays, 

 and between tbe spells of labour washed for gold, but 

 did not succeed in finding any traces of it. The sand 

 at the side and in the bed of the river was full of in- 

 numerable particles of shining talc, which glistened 

 very brightly in the sun, and The Assiniboine, beHeving 

 it to be gold, drew our attention to it as an encouraging 

 sign that we were approaching our destination. The 

 waters rose during the day, and were a foot higher by 

 evening, sinking to their former level during the night : 

 the alternate effect of the sun and night frosts on the 

 mountain snows. The weather was bright and op- 

 pressively hot, and the mosquitoes and tiny sand-flies 

 so numerous that we could obtain little sleep. By 

 evening we had all the timber cut and carried down to 

 the water's edge ready to tie together. 



On the morning of the 27th, Mr.. O'B., one of 

 whose good quahties was early rising, surpassed himself 

 — ^whether in consequence of being disturbed by mos- 

 quitoes, or from anxiety for the public good, remains 

 uncertain — and turned out with the earliest peep of 

 dawn. Eousing Cheadle, with the request that he 

 would get up immediately, as he had something of 

 importance to communicate, he took him aside and 

 said, " In the first place, Doctor, I hope that you and 

 Assiniboine will be very careful indeed in crossing the 

 river, for you know I think you managed very badly 

 indeed last time, I may say disgracefully so. It was 

 a mercy we were not all drowned; look what an 

 escape / had ! Now, if you will take my advice, 



