LAKE SUPERIOR. 61 



The two miles' return was slower than our descent, 

 and gave us time to admire the scenery, to watch 

 the vessels passing through the narrow channel of 

 the shallow river, and note the decaying woodwork 

 of the old fort that once did good service against 

 the Indian, but would be a ludicrous structure in 

 modern warfare. On arriving at the Sault the finish- 

 ing touches were given to our preparations for camp- 

 ing out, and a wagon engaged to transport our 

 stores by land to the head of the canal, where our 

 new men and their barge were to meet us early on 

 the morrow. We parted with Joe, who, however, 

 that evening and next morning heaped coals of fire 

 on our heads by doing us innumerable little favors 

 in the way of suggestions, advice, and physical aid. 



The day following, as the last article was placed 

 upon the cart, we were informed that neither 

 eggs nor bread was to be had in the village. Our 

 horror, or rather mine — for Don little knew what a 

 dearth of eggs implied — can only be appreciated by 

 an experienced cook ; bread was a minor matter, as 

 we had ship-biscuit, but eggs were indispensable. 

 It appeared on inquiry that the baker had been heat- 

 ing his own coppers, as the fast men express it, in- 

 stead of his oven, and was now sleeping off the effects 

 of his debauch ; and hens, feeling their importance in 

 that desolate country, only lay on special occasions. 



While we were in a condition bordering upon 

 despair, uncertain whether to proceed, the steamer 

 Illinois hove in sight. Never was an arrival more 

 opportune, for one of the numerous ventures of the 



