248 Thirty Years 



tribute of my respect for that distinguished philan- 

 thropist and Christian. Messrs. Back and Hood took 

 beautiful sketches of this majestic scene. 



The river being surveyed from the summit of a hill, 

 above these falls, appeared so rapid and shallow, that 

 it seemed useless to attempt proceeding any farther in 

 the lanre canoes. I therefore determined on con- 



O 



structing out of their materials two smaller ones of 

 sufficient size to contain three persons, for the purpose 

 of crossing any river that might obstruct our progress. 

 This operation was accordingly commenced, and by 

 the 31st both the canoes being finished, we prepared 

 for our departure on the following day. 



The leather which had been preserved for making 

 shoes was equally divided among the men, two pair of 

 flannel socks were given to each person, and such ar- 

 ticles of warm clothing as remained, were issued to 

 those who most required them. They were also fur- 

 nished with one of the officers' tents. This being 

 done, I communicated to the men my intention of 

 proceeding in as direct a course as possible to the part 

 of Point Lake, opposite to our spring encampment, 

 which was only distant one hundred and forty-nine 

 miles in a straight line. They received the communi- 

 cation cheerfully, considered the journey to be short, 



and lefi me, in high spirits, to arrange their own 



packages, The stores, books, &c, which were not 



