1889-90.] BIARY OF GOVERNOR SIMCOE. 129 



W. Aitken, D.P.S., with two Lake LaClaie and two Matchetache Bay 

 Indians, embarked in a batteau, and went that night to Mr. St. John's, on 

 the River Humber. 



25th. — Got up at daybreak to prepare matters for our journey. His 

 Excellency, Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe, joined us from York. We 

 shortly afterwards were ready and entered the woods, keeping our course 

 about N.N.W., crossed a long pine ridge. About one o'clock, dined upon 

 a small river which empties itself into the Humber, and, to make the loads 

 lighter, took the bones out of the pork. After dinner, re-loaded our horses 

 and pursued our journey. About four o'clock, it beginning to rain, we 

 encamped on the side of the Humber, at the west extremity of the 3rd con- 

 cession. We here got some wild grapes and a quantity of crawfish. 



26th. — At eight o'clock continued our journey. In the early part of 

 the day, went over a pine ridge ; but from ten till six in the evening, when 

 we encamped, went through excellent land for grain or grass, the trees 

 uncommonly large and tall, especially the pine. Crossed two small creeks 

 which emptied themselves into the Humber, on one of which (Drunken 

 Creek) we dined, and encamped on the second. The land through which 

 we passed is chiefly wooded with maple, bass, beech, pine and cedar. 

 During this day's march we passed the encampment of an Indian trader, 

 who was on his way to his wintering ground on Lake LaClaie. 



27th. — Proceeded on early in the morning. Shortly after leaving our 

 fires went through a ridge of very fine pine, which appeared to be bounded 

 by a deep ravine to the north. After crossing in an oblique direction the 

 pine ridge, went over excellent land, black rich mould ; timber, maple, 

 beech, black birch, and bass. Crossed a ravine and ascended a small 

 eminence of indifferent land. This height terminated in a point, and a 

 gradual descent to the River Humber, which we crossed. We dined here, 

 and remained two hours to refresli ourselves and horses. While at dinner 

 two men with two horses, who left the end of the carrying place in the 

 morning, met us. They were going to bring forward the trader which we 

 passed the preceding day, and his goods. After dinner proceeded on. 

 Went over very uneven ground, tlie soil in some places indifferent, but in 

 general not b;id land. Saw some very fine yellow pine and black birch. 

 About six o'clock came to the end of the carrying place and encamped. 

 Here found Mr. Cuthbertson, Indian trader, and owner of hut we passed 

 the day before, encamped. 



28th. — After breakfast, Messrs. Givens and Aitken, with two Indians 

 and two white men, went up the river for three canoes which had been 

 previously provided for the Governor, and I went with three rangers to 

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