CHAPTER IX. 



MEETING WITH NATIVES. 



BORNE down by the river we had launched on the 

 bosom of Aberdeen Lake without effort, but not so easy 

 a matter was it to find our way out. With the hope of 

 saving unnecessary search, it was resolved to climb to 

 the top of a hill not far back from shore, and view the 

 country with our field-glasses. 



From the summit, which was found by the aneroid 

 to be four hundred feet above the lake, we obtained a 

 magnificent view of the surrounding country, and from 

 the base of the hill could clearly trace the course of 

 the river, winding away to the northward. While my 

 brother and I were thus engaged in viewing and sketch- 

 ing the country, hammering the rocks, tracing the lines 

 of ancient sea-beaches, etc., which were here clearly 

 defined at no less than seven different elevations, vary- 

 ing from 60 to 290 feet above the surface of the lake, 

 the men were usefully employed in collecting black moss, 

 which in this neighborhood was found in abundance. 



Since" 'entering the lake nothing more had been seen 

 of the drift-wood, but on our return from the hill in the 

 -evening we found camp already pitched, and near it a 

 big kettle of venison simmering over a fire of moss. 

 More than this, some flour, a little of which still remained, 



