326 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
water-side, and in a very genteel manner, invited me into their house,— 
which I readily accepted. One of them asked me if I had any Letter 
from my Master, and where, and on what design I was going inland. 
I answered I had no letter, and that I was sent to view the Country, 
and intended to return in the Spring. He told me the Master and men 
were gone down to Montreal with the furs; and that they must detain 
me till their return. However they were very kind; and at night I 
went to my tent, and told Attickashish, or Little Deer, my Leader,’ 
that had the charge of me, who smiled and said they dared not. I sent 
them two feet of tobacco, which was very acceptable to them. 
23. Tuesday. Invited to Breakfast and Dinner; thanked me for 
the tobacco, and presented to me some moose flesh. 
24. Wednesday. Took my departure from the French Settlement, 
and paddled up Keiskatchewan River 6 miles; the Course West. Then 
left it and paddled 16 miles W.b.S. across a Lake ;? then came to Peatago 
River ;* here are the largest Birch trees I have yet seen. 
25. Thursday. Paddled up Peatago River 27 miles S.W.b.W. 
Large Birch trees on both sides the River. We still live on fish and are 
all heartily wishing for a change of food. This river is small, but good 
water as yet. To-morrow we shall leave our canoes and travel. 
26. Friday. Paddled 28 Miles S.W.b.W. up Peatago River, shoal 
water; passed 9 Islands, 4 Falls, and several Canoes, which the natives 
had left on account of shoal water. 
27. Saturday. Very shoal water. Here we left our Canoes and 
travelled 4 miles S.W.b.S. Here were our Indians Families in a starv- 
ing condition, for want of food; and we are in the same condition. 
28. Sunday. Travelled 26 miles S.W.bW. passed two creeks and 
two Indian tent-places. Neither Bird nor Beast to be seen,—so that 
we have nothing to eat. 
29. Monday. Travelled 24 miles S.W. when fortunately met with 
a fine bed of Strawberries, of which I did not eat‘ very heartily,—as 

Natives. Many of their Superstitious & Fanciful marks are seen here.” 
And in a foot-note—‘‘ From York Fort to Basquia I make the Course South 
46 West, distance 450 miles.” Cocking mentions “an old house formerly 
belonging to the Canadians,” i.e., the French. 
1“Attickashish,” says Andrew Graham, “ was afterwards my Acquaintance 
and a valuable leading Indian.” 
2Saskeram Lake. Cocking calls this lake, Maneneshahsquatanan Saka- 
hegan. 
2 Carrot River. Pe-tahk-ho-gun, according to Chappell, means, A long 
distance by water. Cocking also mentions a Peatagow River, but farther up 
the Saskatchewan. 
* Obviously “not” is an error in the original or copy. 
