INTO THE UNKNOWN WILDEKNESS 



lake were heavily and beautifully wooded with spruce and 

 birch timber, and its surface was studded with islands. At 

 nightfall, after exploring the uttermost recesses of several 

 deep bays, without discovering any trace of the river, we 

 pitched camp, and obtained shelter from a cold, drizzling 

 rain. 



The next morning being cool and flies scarce, a plunge 

 bath was the first item on the programme. After disposing 

 of our usual breakfast of bacon and bannocks, the search for 

 the route was resumed. After much careful search, occupy- 

 ing nearly the whole day, the mouth of the river was found, 

 close to where we had first entered the lake. It was much 

 (ybscured by islands, and owing to the depth of the channel, 

 had an almost imperceptible current; but beyond all doubt 

 it was the road described by the Indians, and though rain was 

 again falling, no time was lost in commencing the ascent. 



About seven miles up stream we were obliged to seek camp, 

 but a suitable one was not to be found, as the shores were 

 low and flooded with water. A place none too dry was finally 

 selected, and in a drenched condition we scrambled or waded 

 ashore. 



As I was enjoying a mug of tea, my brother came intO' 

 our tent and reported having heard a caribou calf in the 

 swamp close by. Though it was already nearly dark, I picked 

 up my rifle and started out in the direction from which he 

 had heard the noise, in quest of venison. The dense spruce 

 swamp was literally alive with mosquitos, which at every 

 step rose up from the wet grass in swarms and beat into my 

 face. A runway was soon found, and I hurried noiselessly 

 along through the gloom of the forest, hoping soon to hear 

 something of the calf. Many other runways were crossed, 

 and after travelling some distance without any signs of suc- 

 cess, I was about to return, for fear of being overtaken by 

 darkness, when a little distance ahead I heard the cracking 

 of a stick. I had no doubt but that it was caused by the foot 



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