298 LAUNCH OF THE BOAT. 



the crew, determining not to anticipate evil, or 

 yield to fears that might never be realised. 



At 1 p.m., the boat was launched upon the 

 Thlew-ee-choh ; but as the river was open only in 

 and about the shallow rapids of the upper parts 

 (for the lake at its source, as well as a smaller one 

 about two miles farther down, were yet firm with 

 solid ice), it was unavailable for any purpose of 

 transport ; even when quite light, it was not with- 

 out trouble and a good deal of waiting that the 

 boat was floated 5 or lifted over the shoal parts of 

 the first three rapids. These passed, the men 

 who had charge of her returned for their baggage 

 to the other end of the portage ; but this method, 

 in our case unavoidable, occasioned so many 

 delays that it was very late before the task was 

 completed, though the direct distance accom- 

 plished did not exceed four miles. 



June 29. — The baggage was again carried to 

 the border of a small lake, where, after the boat 

 had been made use of to set us on the ice, the 

 sledges and runners were again tackled, and we 

 proceeded as before until we reached the ex- 

 tremity, having picked up on the way a cache 

 of two deer. At the next portage we landed : 

 the baggage was carried over, and the boat 

 taken down the rapids, three of which followed 

 in quick succession. The thermometer rose to 

 64° ; and a warm southerly wind soon brought 



