278 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



to the south, and the rest of the journey as far as 

 Fort Francis is in a N\W. direction. 



We shall not weary the reader with descriptions 

 of the many lakes and rivers and dreary portages 

 passed over during the journey, but in order to give 

 a general idea of the country, we shall divide it into 

 three sections : the first, between Shebandowan and 

 Fort Francis ; the second, from thence to Fort Alex- 

 ander ; and the third, from that place to Fort Garry, 

 the objective point of the Expedition. 



The first section is a dreary region unfit, from its 

 sterile barrenness, for man's habitation. Rock, water, 

 and stunted trees everywhere. When it was neces- 

 sary to pitch tents, we seldom found enough soil for 

 the pegs to support them, and were forced to use 

 large stones instead. The surface is covered with 

 moss, which in some places was so thick that, with a 

 blanket rolled round one, our bivouac had all the 

 softness of a luxurious spring bed. The blueberry- 

 bushes were in full fruit as we went along, affording 

 us many a good meal, and enabling us to vary the 

 usual menu of salt-pork and biscuit. We met nu- 

 merous families of Indians, who thronged round our 

 boats begging for provisions. They were an intoler- 

 able nuisance, and so very dirty that their presence 

 gives one a sort of creeping sensation. It was curious 

 to see them arrive at a portage, a family travelling 

 generally in two or three canoes. The lord and master 

 would step ashore, pull his canoe up, and shouldering 



