72 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA. 



any trace of the river, we pitched camp, and obtained 

 shelter from a cold drizzling rain. 



The next morning being cool, and flies scarce, a plunge 

 bath was the first item on the programme. After dis- 

 posing of our usual breakfast of bacon and bannocks, 

 the search for the route was resumed. After much care- 

 ful search, occupying nearly the whole day, the mouth 

 of the river was found, close to where we had first 

 entered the lake. It was much obscured by islands, and 

 owing to the depth of the channel had an almost imper- 

 ceptible current ; but beyond all doubt it was the road 

 described by the Indians, and though rain was again 

 falling, no time was lost in commencing the ascent. 



About seven miles up stream we were obliged to seek 

 camp, but a suitable one was not to be found, as the 

 shores were low and flooded with water. A place none 

 too dry was finally selected, and in a drenched condi- 

 tion we scrambled or waded ashore. 



As I was enjoying a mug of tea, my brother came 

 into our tent and reported having heard a cariboo calf 

 in the swamp close by. Though it was already nearly 

 dark, I picked up my rifle and started out in the direc- 

 tion from which he had heard the noise, in quest of 

 venison. The dense spruce swamp was literally alive 

 with mosquitos, which at every step rose up from the 

 wet grass in swarms, and beat into rny face. A run- 

 way was soon found, and I hurried noiselessly along 

 through the gloom of the forest, hoping soon to hear 

 something of the calf. Many other runways were 

 crossed, and after travelling some distance without any 

 signs of success, I was about to return, for fear of 

 being overtaken by darkness, when a little distance 



