134* JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



the Fairy* Lake River the rapids ceased. 

 The main stream was then about three 

 hundred yards wide, and generally deep, 

 though, in one part, the channel was inter- 

 rupted by several sandy banks, and low 

 alluvial islands, covered with willows. It 

 flows between banks of sand thinly wooded, 

 and as we advanced the barren hills ap- 

 proached the water's edge. 



At ten we rejoined our hunters, who had 

 killed a deer, and halted to breakfast. We 

 sent them forward ; one of them, who was 

 walking along the shore, afterwards fired 

 upon two brown bears, and wounded one 

 of them, which instantly turned and pursued 

 him. His companions in the canoes put 



* This is an Indian name. The "Northern Indian 

 fairies are six inches high, lead a life similar to the 

 Indians, and are excellent hunters. Those who have 

 had the good fortune to fall in with their tiny encamp- 

 ments have been kindly treated, and regaled on venison. 

 We did not learn with certainty whether the existence 

 of these delightful creatures is known from Indian tra- 

 dition, or whether the Indians owe their knowledge of 

 them to their intercourse with the traders, but think 

 the former probable. 



