so 



'Journal of a Voyage through the 



toes, and were obliged to return. I observed, however, 

 that the mountains terminated here, and that a river flowed 

 from the W estward : I also discovered a strong ripling cur- 

 rent, or rapid, which ran close under a steep precipice of 

 the hill. 



Tuesday 7. We embarked at four in the morning, and 

 crossed to the opposite side of the river, in consequence 

 of the rapid ; but we might have spared ourselves this 

 trouble, as there would have been no danger in continu- 

 ing our course, without any circuitous deviation what- 

 ever. This circumstance convinced us of the erroneous 

 account given by the natives of the great and approaching 

 dangers of our navigation, as this rapid was stated to be 

 one of them. Our course was now North-North-West 

 three miles, West -North- West four miles, North- West 

 ten miles, North two miles, when we came to a river that 

 llowed from the Eastward. Here we landed at an en- 

 campment of four fires, all the inhabitants of which ran 

 off with the utmost speed, except an old man and an old 

 woman. Our guide called aloud to the fugitives, and en- 

 treated them to stay, but without effect : the old man, 

 however, did not hesitate to approach us, and represented 

 himself as too far advanced in life, and too indifferent 

 about the short time he had to remain in the world, to be 

 very anxious about escaping from any danger that threat* 

 ened him; at the same time he pulled his grey hairs from 

 .his head by handfulls to distribute among us, and implored 

 our favour for himself and his relations. Our guide, 

 however, at length removed his fears, and persuaded him 

 to recal the fugitives, who consisted of eighteen people ; 

 whom I reconciled to me on their return with presents of 

 beeds, knives, awls, &c. with which they appeared to be 

 greatiy delighted. They differed in no respect from those 

 whom we had already seen ; nor were they deficient in 

 hospitably attentions ; they provided us with fish, which 

 was very weM boiled, and cheerfully accepted by us. Our 

 guide still sickened after his home, and was so anxious 

 to return thither, that we were under the necessity of 

 forcing him to embark. 



These people informed us that we were close to another 

 great rapid, and that there were several lodges of their 

 relations in its vicinity. Four canoes, with a man in each, 

 followed us, to point out to us the particular channels we 

 -should follow for the secure passage of the rapid. They 



