134 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
I found here two tame Buffaloes and an Otter, the latter the most play- 
ful and affectionate little Animal. He was allowed to go into the Water 
but always returned appearing to have all the affectionate Qualities of a 
Dog. Finding some wrong understanding about Mr. Dean’s Appoint- 
ment I wrote him a Letter appointing him to the Bas de la Riviére to 
keep up the Jack House Post and then Mr. McMurray should confine 
himself to the Portage de V’Isle. Mr. Dean appears to be a gentleman- 
like man. Being anxious on many Accounts not to arrive at the Colony 
with Mr. Simon McGillivray, I ordered the Canoe at 6 and Mr. Bird and 
myself started. The Entrance into Lake Winnipic is very uninterest- 
ing, low Banks and stunted Trees. At half past eight we encamped on 
the South Side of the Lake, the Shore being round Stones on Sand with 
a low Bank behind covered with Willows. Felt much Relief in being 
without my Compagnon de Voyage. 
Friday the 3rd of August. At two o’clock we embarked, in an Hour 
arrived at an Island where we carried our Canoe about a Mile over a 
Road of Sand. At half-past six landed to Breakfast on the Hast Side 
of the Lake, the Shore low. At half past Seven we embarked, at 10 
o'clock we entered the Red River having actually paddled about 84 
Hours; the Banks low, high Grass, Reeds and Willows, the Breadth 50 
Paces; an immense Number of black Birds, Pigeons and Doves, so tame 
that they appeared happy in our Approach and scarcely left the Trees; 
an immense Number of the most beautiful Butterflies of a very large 
Size; low marshy Ground; the River full of Cat-fish and White Basse. 
After paddling an Hour we found from the Direction we were going in 
that we had got into the wrong River and were obliged to return. Met: 
some Indians who told us the River is called the Musk Rat River, that 
it takes its Rise about 20 miles from the Colony. In the Hudson’s Bay 
Map it is called the Sandy River. The Indians were Sauteux and are 
a dirty looking People, almost naked. 
At 12 we entered the Red River; passed a large Flock of Pelicans.t 
The Banks low, the same character as the last River but broader, 40 
Yards; marshy Ground, low Banks, Reeds and Willows. The River 
gradually increases to 300 Yards. After paddling two Hours we came 
to the Place where the H. B. Company keep their Horses, about 60 in 
Number, which are used to convey Goods to the Port of Q’appelle which 
is on the Assiniboin River. It is called Brander? House, Upper Red 
River Department. The Horses are small but appear well bred; they 

1 Pelecanus americanus, of Audubon. At this place Henry notes, “I shot a 
pelican, of which there are plenty here.” Henry (Coues), p. 39. 
? Brandon House. 
