512 REDISCOVERY OF GRAND FALLS. 



Several hours were spent at the falls measuring and 

 photographing, but the results are as yet not available. 



The Labrador Plateau has been estimated by other 

 parties to be 2,000 feet above the sea-level, but owing to 

 the loss of the barometer our men were unable to deter- 

 mine the accuracy of this estimate. The plateau is for 

 the most part level with occasional prominences. It is 

 well wooded with spruce timber, the largest of which are 

 perhaps eight inches through. A heavy carpet of moss 

 lies underfoot and there is very little underbrush to make 

 travelling difficult. Innumerable lakes dot the surface 

 in all directions, a large chain of which are undoubtedly 

 drained by the Grand River. The black-flies on the high 

 ground were terrible. 



The falls were reached on the morning of the 13th 

 of August. On the next day the successful explorers 

 started to retrace their course of 300 miles. They had 

 reached the end of their provisions and were worn out 

 and hungry. On the afternoon of the 15th, with no 

 little joy, they sighted the location of their cache of boat, 

 luggage, and provisions. But their joy was soon turned 

 to dismay, for, instead of the pleasant sight they had ex- 

 pected, nothing but smoking and charred remains greeted 

 their eyes. Rifle, ammunition, instruments, boat, pro- 

 visions — everything that had been left behind was burned, 

 and there they were nearly 300 miles from the mouth of 

 the river. It is supposed that the camp-fire still hung in 

 the moss and peat soil after it was thought to be com- 

 pletely extinguished, and later revived and spread to the 

 cache. 



About three pints of parched flour and as much rice, 

 together with one can each of burned baked beans and 



