low.] LAKE MISTASSINI. 11 I) 



It was found necessary to travel mostly in the early morning, before Mode of 



J J J ° travelling. 



the heat of the sun melted the crust on the snow. We therefore com- 

 menced our day's tramp about 3 a.m. and stopped about noon. We 

 proceeded up the Chamouchouan Eiver to the Shegobeesh Branch, and, 

 following it to the lake at its head, crossed from it by a short portage 

 to Lake Ashouapmouchouan, April 15th. Here, having replenished our 

 stock of provisions^ we continued up the Nikaubau Eiver, through 

 Lake Nikaubau and several smaller lakes, following the route laid 

 down on Bichardson's map, and reached the Height of Land. 



Crossing this, we soon reached Lake Obatigoman, and, having passed 

 along its eastern shore four miles, we passed overland to Lake Ckibou- 

 garnoo, arriving there on the 20th of April. Up to this time the Delay 

 weather, being cold and clear, was very favorable for travelling, but 

 we were now overtaken by a period of mild weather, which made the 

 snow so soft and heavy as to render tramping with loads almost impos- 

 sible. In addition to this we were short of provisions, and on the 24th 

 I decided to send four men ahead without loads, with instructions to 

 reach the Hudson Bay post on Mistassini and send back provisions 

 from there. These men travelled over sixty miles in forty hours, 

 without food, and thus reached the post. From here two Indians were 

 sent back with provisions to relieve us, and arrived at our camp, on the 

 east side of Lake Chebougamoo, April 28th. Continuing our journey 

 from this point, we reached the post next day. 



On arriving at Mistassini I found Mr. Bio-nell encamped there, with Arrival at 

 i i i/. t • , • , i ,,..., Mistassini 



about halt his party, the remainder being engaged bringing in the 



canoes left on the Peribonka at the close of navigation. Luring my 



absence Mr. Bignell had returned to Lake Onistagan, and continued 



his survey from that point to the entrance of the Temiscamie Eiver 



into Lake Mistassinis. 



Mr. Bignell's party and my men were unable to move until May 

 28th, owing to the breaking up of the ice and the opening of naviga- 

 tion. Mr. Bignell, with his party, then descended to Lake St. John, 

 while I sent six men, with three canoes, to Lake Ashouapmouchouan, 

 to bring in the provisions drawn and stored there during the winter. 

 After a very rough and dangerous trip, owing to the spring freshets 

 in the rivers, the men returned on the 27th of June. 



Mr. Macoun and myself were employed during their absence in 

 keeping meteorological observations, determining the latitude of the 

 post, and in collecting specimens of, and making notes on, the natural 

 history of the vicinity. Having engaged two Indians as guides, we 

 left the post June 30th, and, passing up the lake, reached the end of 

 Mr. McOuat's survey on the west side, three miles beyond the discharge 

 of the lake, on July 3rd. 



