DESERTION OF TWO INDIANS. 123 



eastward. From this elevation Maufelly pointed 

 to a lake, on which he said we were to go a long 

 way ; adding, however, that, from the fact of his 

 having been so snow-blind when he last passed 

 as to be led with a string, he did not exactly 

 remember the channel. He requested, therefore, 

 permission to land at certain elevated places — one 

 of which he recognised, and pointed out as the 

 spot where he had formerly killed a deer. Still this 

 did not enlighten him as to the precise part we 

 should make for : and whether the two Indian 

 boys in the canoe differed with or distrusted 

 him, or whether it was the mere caprice and 

 unsteadiness of their nature, we knew not ; but 

 certain it was, that, on landing at a point of the 

 shore, they began to prepare for a march, with 

 the intention, as they said, of visiting their re- 

 lations, who they thought might be somewhere 

 to the north-west. As there w r as no indication 

 of Indians within range of the telescope, we 

 tried to dissuade them from their purpose, for 

 their services, just then, were doubly requisite 

 in order to carry the baggage over the portages ; 

 and this the rogues well knew, but with invinci- 

 ble stubbornness they rejected every offer that 

 was made. Finding they were determined, I 

 supplied them with a little ammunition, warn- 

 ing them at the same time to keep away from 

 my fort, unless they brought with them a heavy 

 load of good meat. 



