1889-90.] DIARY OF GOVERNOR SIMCOE. 131 



Cowan, an Indian trader, to buy corn. His Excellency was sorry that he 

 could not see Keenees, the chief of the village, with whom he was acquaint- 

 ed, as he was dangerously ill. We left our smallest canoe here, and got 

 one Indian in lieu of the two Indians belonging to the village, who preferred 

 remaining to proceeding on the journey. Alter dinner we re-embarked, 

 and the wind being fair, hoisted sail, and about dark put on shore and 

 encamped in a cedar grove about six miles from the village. 



30th. — Left our encampment about ten o'clock. Mr. Givens was taken 

 into the Governor's canoe, and in his place one of the rangers put into mine. 

 Sailed on with a strong breeze about six miles, and it blowing too fresh 

 to cross Kempenfelt Bay, put in at Point Endeavour, where we remained 

 till two o'clock, and dined. After dinner, the wind moderating a little, 

 we again hoisted sail and crossed the bay, which is between seven and eight 

 miles deep and four and five wide. We had scarcely got over when the 

 wind blew hard ahead, and it beginning to rain we encamped in a pleasa t 

 spot on the side of the lake. 



October 1st. — Embarked about eight o'clock, and having a contrary wind 

 had to paddle against a head swell, which impeded our going much, and 

 frequently dashed water into our canoes. Put in for a few minutes to 

 take the bearings at a bluff point about six miles from our last encampment. 

 This being accomplished we coasted close in shore for some time and, the 

 wind abating, made for an island near the head of the lake, and landed 

 there about two o'clock, and dined. This island, now Francis's Island is 

 pleasantly situated, having a fine prospect of the lake. The Indians used 

 to raise corn upon it, but have not for some time. It is quite covered with 

 long grass. About two o'clock we embarked, and shortly after leaving the 

 island entered a small straight, near the far extremity of which we saw 

 two Indians in a canoe paddling across. So soon as the Indian in the 

 Governor's canoe perceived them he gave the death hallow ; the strange 

 Indians made for land, and we, seeing the wigwam, followed. So soon as 

 our Indian got near enough to be heard he made a melancholy detail of 

 the number of deaths that had lately happened among the Lake Simcoe 

 Indians, and closed his speech with saying " that the end of the world was 

 at hand, Indians would be no more." An old Indian, owner of the wig- 

 wam, gave a similar unpleasant account of the great sickness in his neigh- 

 bourhood also, and added that he expected his eldest son would soon 

 change his climate, and that nothing but his being unwell prevented his 

 going to his wintering ground. His Excellency made this family a small 

 present, and we parted. Soon after leaving them, the wind turning fair, 

 we hoisted sail. At this place the lake widens, and is interspersed with 

 small islands, on some of which the Indians had planted corn, turnips and 



