1827, AUGUST. JACK RIVER 291 



the shore to the south-west was steep limestone rocks, affording no harbour, 

 and unfavourable for crossing the lake, we camped. Nothing occurred. 



Tuesday, lth. Morning dull, cloudy, and drizzly ; rain at eight. 

 Started with a favourable breeze at five o'clock across the lake. Gained 

 the ' Dog's Head ' to breakfast at half -past eleven. Delayed forty-six 

 minutes. Continued along the shore and passed ' Rabbit ' point at one, 

 and a second at four ; passed it two miles, when the wind shifting to the 

 west we were obliged to run back to a small sandy beach and run 

 the boat on the shore. Ere all the baggage was out, the waves were 

 breaking on the shore with all the violence of a sea hurricane. Shifted 

 plants and dried papers in the evening. Laid in a few plants in fruit 

 Pyrola rotundifolia, Cornus canadensis, Artemisia finer specimens than 

 before. In the course of the evening the boat had to be hauled up as the 

 surge rose on the shore, all our strength being inadequate to pull it up at 

 once. Blowing with increased violence. Now ten o'clock. 



Wednesday, 15th. Weather same throughout the night ; morning clear 

 and somewhat more moderate at ten, but still unable to proceed. Found 

 and laid in specimens of Linnaea borealis (in fruit). This is the first time 

 I have ever seen this plant in this state. Is rare. Mr. Scouler informed 

 me that he found it in 1825, in perfect fruit, in the shady forests of Nootka 

 Sound : here around my tent, in sand that has been thrown on the shore 

 by the lake storms, in partially shady situations. It is not rare in fruit. 

 Employed all the forepart of the day drying papers and shifting plants ; no 

 place that I can walk, being all swamp. More moderate at noon ; started 

 and gained seven miles at three, when the wind sprang up from the same 

 quarter, which obliged us to put to shore on a sandy beach exposed 

 to the weather. Afternoon and evening the same. 



Thursday, 16th. Weather stormy until eleven A.M., when the boat was 

 launched again and pulled off. Calm at two. Called at Banning J s River, 

 where we made a stay of a few minutes. Learned from Mr. Spencer that 

 the other boat from Red River had passed the preceding night. On leaving 

 this place at four P.M. a favourable breeze sprang up, and, being anxious to 

 lose no time, did not put ashore to sup, but went on along the shore under 

 easy sail until daylight. 



Friday, 17th. Morning rainy ; took breakfast at six A.M. and continued 

 under a strong breeze till four P.M., the last point of the lake when the wind 

 failed ; pulled over the narrow bay to Norway House, where I found 

 Messrs. John Stuart and Cameron on their way to winter quarters. Both 

 these gentlemen showed me every kindness and informed me that Captain 

 Back had passed two days before for Hudson's Bay. 



Saturday, 18th. Left Norway House at six A.M. in company with Mr. 

 Jos. Bird, with whom I intend to complete the remainder of my journey, 

 as the other boat was to return to Red River. Passed at eight o'clock two 

 canoes in Play Green Lake containing the men belonging to the Land 

 Arctic Expedition on their way to Montreal. Made but little progress, 

 having a strong wind against us. At midday gained the lower establishment 

 on Jack River, where I found my old friend Mr. John McLeod. Learned 

 with regret my Silver-Headed Eagle had died of starvation. I found every 



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