No. 4.] SELWYN — THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY. 197 



quently encountered on Lake Winnipeg. Such boats are, of course, 

 not adapted for beating against a head wind, and with a side 

 wind also they make considerable lee-way. They are, however, 

 admirably suited for the mixed river and lake navigation for 

 which they are designed. The voyageurs, occasionaly Indians, 

 but mostly either French, Scotch or English half-breeds, pull a 

 long steady stroke, averaging 19 per minute, always rising from 

 their seats at each stroke. Every 20-25 minutes they cease pull- 

 ing, lay in their oars, and light their pipes. The smoke occupies 

 from 8-10 minutes, and during the interval the boat either drifts 

 with the current, or, in still water, comes to a stand. So regular 

 is this practice that the smoke is used as a meavSure of distance, 

 and the guide will often tell you it's so many smokes to any point, 

 the distance to which you may have occasion to enquire about. 



My expedition last summer, was performed, the outward jour- 

 ney by land and the homeward journey by water transport. 

 And, all things considered, I have arrived at the conclusion that 

 for exploration purposes the latter mode of travelling is to be 

 preferred, as being the cheapest, the most expeditious and the most 

 comfortable, as well as affording better opportunities for observa- 

 tion and for the collection and preservation of specimens. 



On the afternoon of the 25th of July, all our preparations being 

 completed, we left Fort Grarry or Winnipeg, the capital of the 

 Province of Manitoba, situated at the confluence of the Assini- 

 boine and Red Rivers, — latitude 49*^ 52' north, and longitude 

 ^6^50' west — and in 49 days, or on the 12th of September, I 

 reached Rocky Mount:un House, situated on the upper waters of 

 the Saskatchewan — latitude 54°20' north and longitude 115^^ 10' 

 west. According to the measurements of the route which I made 

 by means of an odometer attached to the cart wheel, the distance 

 travelled was 1,056 miles. Stoppages and detentions from various 

 •causes during the journey amounted to nine days in all, five days 

 ■on which we did not move camp, and eight on which we travelled 

 for only half the day. We therefore averaged 26J miles per day, 

 to do which, without fresh horses and seldom travelling at more 

 than a walk, necessitated early starting and late camping, so that 

 yfQ were rarely less than ten hours on the road. My own party 

 consisted of six persons besides myself, two of whom were 

 thoroughly experienced half-breed voyageurs who spoke English 

 .and French as well as the Chippcway and Cree Indian languages. 

 Travelling with us as far as Edmonton were two English gentle- 



