110 LAKE SUPERIOR. 



Charley, made a night-attack upon the post, and, 

 by a complete surprise, captured it without loss or 

 bloodshed. The speculation never having been pro- 

 fitable, the company was only too glad to be cap- 

 tured ; and having obtained an extravagant indem- 

 nity from the home government, never resumed 

 possession of the works. 



The buildings were windowless and tenantless, 

 and served as shelter for voyaging parties of In- 

 dians ; the underground passages were falling in, 

 the machinery was going to ruin, the platforms 

 were rotting, and the gardens had grown up with 

 long, rank grass. 



We explored the shafts, collected some specimens 

 of the ore, and returned to the boat in time to find 

 the wind greatly abated, and embarking, soon ar- 

 rived at the Point of Mamainse. Having fished for 

 a short time from a rock named after one of oiu* 

 best New York fishermen, Stevens's Rock, we con- 

 tinued our voyage, and reached the former camp- 

 ing-ground on the Batchawaung before dark. 



The weather had changed. The rain was falling 

 in that dull, penetrating drizzle that is so dej^ressing 

 to one's spirits, and the cold air made our wet 

 clothes and damp bed far from comfortable. Camp- 

 ing in a rain, building a smoky fire from damp logs, 

 and making a bed 'of wet boughs, in spite of the 

 protection of water-proof blankets, is unpleasant, 

 although it rarely produces sickness. Don bore the 

 discomfort with a patient composure that was an 

 eminent example to our city exquisites, and never 



