Account of an Excursion to Mount Katahdin. 25 



to us ; we made our packs by means of our blankets, and then sling- 

 ing them over our shoulders, we proceeded on the Portage or " Car- 

 rying Place," by the Grand Falls to reach our bateau, which was 

 about three miles above. The appearance of our party as we filed 

 through the woods, was very picturesque ; our sturdy guide, Cyrus, 

 led the van, having on his head a white felt hat, from which rains and 

 time had long removed all stiffness, and which now formed a perfect 

 cone, except where part of the brim was turned in over the forehead 

 to give the eyes fair play. Over his shoulders was thrown an im- 

 mense pack made of blankets, and containing provisions, &.C., its 

 color contrasting finely with his red flannel shirt. Around his waist 

 was a broad leathern belt to which were buckled a couple of tin 

 cups and a brass kettle. On one shoulder he bore his oars and pad- 

 dles, on the other a frying pan, axe, &;c. His brother followed, 

 somewhat similarly equipped, carrying a fowling piece, &;c., and we 

 with our smaller packs, and some light articles, closed the procession. 



On our way through the woods we again found the Swertia de- 

 Jlexa, and also passed over argillite in situ. This place, between 

 Grand Falls and Quakish Lake, about three miles from the former, 

 is the most northern point at which I. have observed this rock. 



When we launched our boat she was found to leak very badly, 

 but we soon remedied this difficulty by scraping from her sides some 

 of the superfluous pitch, which we placed upon her bottom; then 

 by applying the heated frying pan the cracks were soon stopped, and 

 we proceeded. Crossing the Quakish Lake and North Twin, we 

 soon entered Lake Pemmidumkook ; here we had a fine view of 

 Katahdin, and could distinguish the various slides with which its 

 sides are furrowed. At noon we went on shore to dine, and having 

 made a fire at an old logging camp, we prepared our meal in cam- 

 paign style, by each taking a large slice of fat pork, which we 

 stuck upon sharpened sticks and then roasted until it was black. 

 Pork thus cooked, with stale bread, and strong tea made in our brass 

 kettle and swallowed without milk or sugar, formed our frugal fare, 

 of which we partook with almost incredible relish. At this camp I 

 was fortunate enough to find a pair of excellent moose skin mocca- 

 sins, which were a great prize to me, as my boots were already worn 

 through. 



After dinner we embarked again, and proceeding by the Deep 

 Cove and the Ambijeegis Lake and Falls, we stopped at night at 

 the foot of the Passamagamet Falls, where, leaving Mr. Keely on 



Vol. XXXII.— No. 1. 4 



