76 JOURNEY RESUMED. 



no importance in his tribe ; and he did not 

 like to say too much," — a tone which, how- 

 ever praiseworthy for its modesty, was very 

 different from the bold expression with which 

 an Indian, conscious that he is right, usually 

 concludes his answers to similar inquiries, as, 

 " It must be so, for my eyes have seen it," — I 

 say, when I heard this, I abandoned at once all 

 idea of going by the Fond du Lac. 



Besides the provisions required from this post, 

 there were many other indispensable articles 

 that could not be provided elsewhere ; but under 

 the superintendence of Mr. M'Leod, the greater 

 part, together with the necessary implements 

 for building a new establishment, were ready 

 in a couple of days. In that interval, I ob- 

 tained observations for the dip, force, &c. ; and 

 with an increased cargo of several bags of grease, 

 iron-work, guns, and bales of leather, which 

 were put into a second canoe, which I thought 

 might be convenient in the event of finding any 

 shoal rivers to the north, we quitted the fort 

 late in the evening of the 1st of August ; 

 further instructions being left for the guidance 

 of Mr. King, on his arrival with the bateaux. 



The lake was unusually low this season, and, 

 in consequence, we had more than ordinary 

 trouble in crossing the flats to Stony River, 

 where we encamped. The following night was 



