138 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL. I. 



gallon of spirits frum him we started. Soon after embarking we found the 

 canoe still leaked, therefore put on shore at the Indian village, hauled 

 her up and gummed her. We saw there only one old squaw and a boy, 

 all the rest having gone off that morning to their wintering ground, and 

 they were soon to follow. At 12 o'clock left the village. When we 

 came to the forks of the river we saw an eagle sitting on a muskrat 

 house. The Indian in the bow fired, but in vain, being only loaded with 

 duck shot. At eight o'clock we reached our encampment, and tho' we were 

 apprehensive that our men had suffered during our absence we found upon 

 enquiry that they had fared much better than we had, the Great Tail 

 having supplied them with duck and Indian corn. 



17th. — A little after sunrise Mr. Cuthbertson's man and the Indian 

 parted with us. We gave them our canoe to bring them back. Soon 

 after the Great Tail (who had encamped on the opposite side of the river) 

 paid us a visit, and brought us four duck. We thanked him for the 

 care he had taken of the men in our absence, and told him that it would 

 please their and our father at York, as be wished fur nothing more than 

 such mutual good offices between the Whites and Indians. This being 

 the sixth day since we parted with the Governor, and the day by him 

 appointed for our crossing to the beginning- of the portage, we provided 

 corn for two days, borrowed a canoe from the Great Tail, and embarked. 

 We soon reached the stage which we had erected on the 28th, and in 

 two trips carried everything up t:> our old encampment. When we 

 returned to the stage the second time we there met two of the Great 

 Tail's sons, who came to brino- three more duck and briui^; back the canoe 

 we had borrowed. We gave the boys a few yards of ribbon each, and 

 had given their father at parting in the morning all the powder and shot 

 that we could spare. They were satisfied and we were pleased. Soon 

 after encamping and putting on the tire a kettle full of Indian corn and 

 a few ducks for our supper, Sergeant Mailey and another man of the 

 Rangers, guided by one of the three Indians who went with His Excel- 

 lency (the other two remained behind them a short distance) arrived from 

 York with a horse for the lame man. The Governor was pleased to send 

 us by them brandy, wine, tea, sugar, pork, and bread. We made a hearty 

 supper, and concluding the evening with a can of grog to his health, went 

 to bed. 



18th. — The horse being missed two of the men were sent in search of 

 Iiim, but returned unsuccessful. The Indian was then sent and in a very 

 short time found him. Packed everything up ; made our packs, and 

 when ready to start the two remaining Indians arrived. Parted with 

 them at eleven o'clock and marched on. At four o'clock arrived at 



