230 Expedition to the 



ascended a high hill that commanded a view of the country 

 around, and had the satisfaction to see a column of smoke 

 rising above the forest at a distance. This sure indication 

 he had pursued until, approaching with much caution, he 

 was overjoyed to ascertain that his beacon was no other than 

 the smoke from our meat drying process. Supposing that 

 the horse would be al)le to travel after having rested during 

 the night, the corporal was directed to accompany Julien to 

 the spot where he had been left, and to bring him on, in the 

 morning. 



We availed ourselves of this leisure time to mend our 

 horse gear, clothes, and mockasins. 



In the evening a slight fall of rain took place, accompanied 

 by thunder in the north east, which at night became heavy 

 and loud. 



28th. The horse that gave out yesterday was brought in, 

 together with two others that had strayed, and for which we 

 were hunting. We were now traversing an elevated and 

 uneven ridge of country, which at many points may be safely 

 estimated at five hundred feet above the surface of the river, 

 and wooded to a great distance from that stream. 



In the afternoon having descended to the river, we again 

 laboured through the difficulties of dense underwood which 

 such productive soils usually present, until towards evening, 

 when we had the happiness to see a well worn Indian path, 

 which had been interrupted by the river, and now took a 

 direction towards our left. Wishing to pursue this route as 

 well for the facility of travelling, as with the hope of soon 

 arriving at some Indian town, we readily persuaded our- 

 selvts that it deviated from the course we were pursuing, 

 only in compliance with the inequalities of the country. 

 With little hesitation, therefore, we struck into the path, and 

 night gathered around us before we threw ourselves, sup- 

 perless, upon the ground to repose, after a fatiguing march 



