12 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF €CARHAPZ 
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 dis- 
posing of our usual breakfast of bacon and bannocks, 
the search for the route was resumed. After much care- 
ful search, occupying nearly the whole day, the mouth 
of the river was found, close to where we had first. 
entered thelake. It was much obscured by islands, and 
owing to the depth of the channel had an almost imper- 
ceptible 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 condi- 
tion we scrambled or waded ashore. 
As I was enjoying a mug of tea, my brother came 
into our tent and reported having heard a cariboo calf 
in the swamp close by. Though it was already nearly 
dark, I picked up my rifle and started out in the direc- 
tion 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 run- 
way 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 success, I was about to return, for fear of 
being overtaken by darkness, when a little distance 
