1827, MAY. FORT ASSINIBOINE 263 



abounds with geese and ducks : several were killed, and in the evening 

 the Northern Chia, with his wild but mellow voice aroused our camp. The 

 egg of this bird is about the size of a goose egg, greenish-blue. I am in 

 hopes of having some sent from the Columbia. General course of the river 

 south. Camped on the left bank at sundown, having gained ninety-three 

 miles. 



Sunday, 6th: — Windy during the night, minimum 34°, maximum 56°. 

 Wind continuing throughout. Started at sunrise and resumed our voyage 

 with progress until breakfast, having gained about twenty-seven miles. 

 Found the current less and more ice on the banks of the river. Proceeded 

 only three miles further when we overtook Mr. George McDougall and four 

 men on their way from Western Caledonia. Had sufiered great hardship 

 passing the mountains from hunger ; had been nine days coming from 

 Jasper House, which we left yesterday following the ice as it cleared. 

 Obliged to put up with him until four o'clock, when the ice made a rapid 

 move and we embarked and made six miles more and again obliged to put 

 up for the night. Country the same as yesterday, nothing of interest 

 except to myself. Burnt my blanket and great toe at the fire last night. 



Monday, 7th. — At daylight started and proceeded a few miles, when we 

 were again detained by the ice. Made a scanty breakfast of some geese 

 killed the preceding day. After remaining two hours and seeing no Ukeli- 

 hood of the ice giving way, a short portage was made over the ice into the 

 main channel, which was open and had a very strong current. Proceeded 

 on our voyage until noon, when we were obliged to put to shore, being over- 

 taken by a large flotilla of ice the whole breadth of the river, which 

 continued until two o'clock. Embarked a second time in hopes from the 

 great quantity of ice that passed the river would be cleared below and that 

 we should meet with no other obstruction. At mid-afternoon we passed 

 a large moose-deer standing on the banks of the river ; having only one 

 deranged gun in our canoe a sight of him was all that was had — did not 

 seem shy and approached within sixty yards. At sundown arrived at [Fort] 

 Assiniboine, where we were received by Mr. Harriott. The whole distance 

 of this river, from Jasper House to this place, 184 miles, admits of no 

 variety, seeing one mile gives an idea of the whole : the banks are low 

 marshy or clay mixed with gravel. The wood of diminutive growth — 

 Pinus alba,^ Alnus, Betula. The underwood Corylus and Mespilus, Neottia, 

 Linnaea, and Cypripedium and a thick carpet of Sphagnum and Hypericum. 

 Horizontal beds of coal abound in the banks of the river, under rotten 

 slate. Maximum heat 59°, minimum 37°, wind easterly. 



Tuesday, 8iA.— Provisions being scarce and from the hostile disposition 

 of the Indian tribes in the south it was deemed unsafe to go in so small 

 a party, we intended to wait for the people from Lesser Slave Lake who are 

 hourly expected. As Mr. McDougall was going down the river with the 

 intention of procuring food for the men from Columbia and Western 

 Caledonia, I accepted an invitation merely to see the country, being yet too 

 early for afEording me any plants, and by doing this I may put myself 

 in possession of some birds. Started at nine o'clock, having a scanty 

 1 Picea alba. Mast., loc. cit., 221. 



