280 Thirty Years 
northward of Rum Lake, and holds a course to the 
_sea parallel to the Copper-Mine.) In short, their 
despondency had returned, and they all despaired of 
seeing Fort Enterprize again. However, the steady 
assurances of the officers, that we were actually on the 
banks of the Copper-Mine River, and that the dis- 
tance to Fort Enterprize did not exceed.forty miles, 
made some impression upon them, which was increas- 
ed upon our finding some bear-berry plants, which is 
reported by the Indians not to grow to the eastward — 
of that river. Then they deplored their folly and im- 
patience in breaking the canoe, being all of opinion, 
that had it not been so completely demolished on the 
23d, it might have been repaired sufficiently to take 
‘the party over. We again closely interrogated Pel- 
tier and Vaillant as to its state, with the intention of, 
sending for it ; but they persisted in the declaration, 
that it was in a totally unserviceable condition. 
St. Germain being again called upon, to endeavor to 
construct a canoe frame from willows, stated that he 
was unable to make one sufticiently large. It became 
necessary, therefore, to search for pines of sufficient 
size to form a raft ; and being aware that such trees 
grow on the borders of Point Lake, we considered it 
best to trace its shores in search of them; we, there- 
fore, resumed our march, carefully looking, bnt in 
vain, for a fordable part, and encamped at the east 
ond af Paint T.ala 
