OUT OF THE FOREST 123 



undergrowth, alike on fine or wet days, like 

 going under a continual shower bath. 



September 13th. It was still raining heavily 

 and the men were not very keen on starting. 

 Carrying a pack in wet weather is hard work 

 and apt to chafe the back. On the other hand, 

 I had no prospect of more sport and did not 

 care to pay my men 13 J dollars a day that 

 they should rest in camp till the weather 

 cleared. I determined, therefore, to move on, 

 but it was noon before I could get a move on 

 the men, and it required some determination 

 to effect this. It was certainly a miserable 

 march, steady rain the whole time. About 3 

 o'clock the men gave up and said they could 

 pack no further in such weather. 



We had struck the Kitsewa, which was rush- 

 ing down in heavy flood, so camped on its bank. 



Thomson was now feeling seedy, and every 

 one was out of sorts and a bit out of temper at 

 the vile weather. 



September 14th. The river was down about 

 a foot but still very full. After crossing and 

 recrossing it about ten times and getting wet 

 through, we arrived at our old camp at the 

 trapper's hut about 1 p.m. ; a short but fatigu- 

 ing march owing to the state of the river. 

 We had intended pushing on further after our 

 midday meal, but once more torrential rains 



