CHAPTER XV 



A JOURNEY TO THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE 



We crossed Lake Abbitibbe on 8 th July. It is so large a 

 body of water that when we were about the middle of it 

 no land could be seen, except a few islets and the tops of 

 some hills to the north-eastward. On the south, passing 

 the Company's fort, we entered a small stream, and by 

 the evening of the next day were less than thirty miles 

 from home. We had with us four Indians of the bear- 

 killing party whom I had engaged to carry the canoe 

 overland to the huts. Next morning, at daylight, I 

 started with Achil, leaving Tom to look after the Indians, 

 hoping to walk the thirty miles in one day ; but when we 

 had covered about two-thirds of the distance my right leg, 

 always the one from which I suffered most, gave way ; 

 and I was in a sorry plight in the midst of the woods, 

 unable to take another step in any direction. Fortunately 

 the weather was hot ; and it was no hardship to lodge 

 under the shade of the trees. Next day the Indians came 

 up, with the canoe on their shoulders, having followed in 

 our tracks ; and as I was still unable to walk I was placed 

 in the canoe, and thus carried to the huts. 



The surprise of Andrew and his wife, and Chucko- 

 chilgegan, at seeing us thus return was very great, for 

 they had expected that we should return the way we went, 

 vid Lakes Superior, Huron, and Nipissing. As illustrating 

 the peculiar phlegmatic character of the Indians, I may 

 mention that Tom's return received not the slightest 

 notice from either his brother, or his niece Chompol, 

 Andrew's wife. I am sure this did not proceed from any 



