290 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



Bay. Had some cheeses presented me, wtich I could not well refuse. 

 Called on James Bird, Esq., who resides a considerable way down the river, 

 and received a letter from him addressed to Mr. Sabine. I forgot to 

 mention a week ago, being near his house on one of my walks, I called on him 

 and he received me with civility and attention ; had tea with him and 

 invited to renew my visit, which I should have done -if time permitted. 

 Informed me he had a letter from Mr. Sabine last March, mentioning the 

 probabiUty of my calling on him. Camped a few miles below the rapid. 

 Laid in two species of Artemisia and a few other plants. 



Saturday, 11«^.— Thunder and hghtning with a few drops of rain at 

 daybreak. At five proceeded down the river with a light air of wind and 

 entered the lake at eight o'clock. Continued our voyage along the south- 

 west side of the lake for fifteen miles, when we came to a small narrow sandy 

 island, where we put ashore to boil the tea-kettle, during which time I 

 picked up two fine Gramineae — Fraxinus and one species of Hieracium, 

 perennial ; and Prunus sp. (No. 263), found sparingly on gravelly places 

 and limestone rocks on Red River, called by the voyageurs Sand-Cherry — 

 shoots of the present year, upright ; of the last prostrate ; very luxuriant — 

 the shore is nothing but sand, or more properly very fine lime gravel, 

 not a vestige of earth — exceedingly prolific (more so than any of the 

 Cherry tribe I have seen), fruit not perfectly ripe, large (as large as common 

 Bird Cherry) ; appears to be astringent, but if only for novelty is worthy 

 of a place in the garden. Continued our route prosperously until three 

 o'clock, when the wind became contrary as we were in a long traverse — that 

 is, crossing a deep bay of the lake. It became suddenly boisterous and 

 much hard labour before we got to shore. The oars were long, and by the 

 heavy swell it was nothing but plunging. Landed on a low thinly wooded 

 island at half-past five ; our poor men exhausted, and myself somewhat 

 anxious. From the appearance of this and many others in this lake the 

 water has risen to a considerable degree higher than it must have been at a 

 former period. Trees are buried to the depth of eight to ten feet, and 

 many places are seen with dead poplars standing erect that no doubt were 

 woody islands. Employed in the evening changing papers and drying the 

 same. 



Sunday, \2th. — ^Last night the wind increased to a perfect hurricane and 

 the water rose so high as to overflow our camp ; so we had to betake our- 

 selves to the boat for the night. Wind more moderate at sunrise . Started 

 at nine o'clock, the sea being nearly calm ; kept along the shore. Nothing 

 occurred. Shores of the lake low and not difierent from yesterday. 

 Camped at seven p.m. Marched twenty-five miles. 



Monday, 13iA.— The wind at two a.m. being favourable, and moonlight, 

 we started under easy sail until daybreak. Morning cloudy and heavy, 

 rain from six to eight ; put ashore to replace the things in the boat, and 

 breakfast. The weather being somewhat drier at nine, proceeded and 

 crossed over to the south side of the lake, when the wind veered round to 

 the south-west, which prevented us from going. Put ashore, camped, 

 and remamed four hours, when it calmed ; proceeded a second time, 

 although the weather was still gloomy. Gained six miles at four, and as 



