T % Journal of a Voyage through the 



found a small canoe at the edge of the woods, which con- 

 tained a paddle and a bow : it had been repaired this spring, 

 and the workmanship of the bark excelled any that I had 

 yet seen. We saw several encampments in the course of 

 the day. The current of the river was very strong, and 

 along the points equal to rapids. 



Saturday 8. The rain was very violent throughout the 

 night, and continued till the afternoon of this day, when 

 the weather began to clear, with a strong, cold, and Wes- 

 terly wind. At three the Indians proceeded on the hunt- 

 ing expedition, and at eight they returned without having 

 met with the least success ; though they saw numerous 

 tracks of the rein-deer. They came to an old beaten road, 

 which one of them followed for some time ; but did not 

 appear to have been lately frequented. The rain now re- 

 turned and continued till the morning. 



Sunday 9. We renewed our voyage at half past three, 

 the weather being cold and cloudy ; but at ten it became 

 clear and moderate. We saw another canoe at the outside 

 of the wood, and one of the Indians killed a dog, which 

 was in a meagre, emaciated condition. We perceived va- 

 rious places where the natives had made their fires ; for 

 these people reside but a short time near the river, and re- 

 move from one bank to the other, as it suits their purposes. 

 We saw a path which was connected with another on the 

 opposite side of the river. The water had risen consider- 

 ably since last night, and there had been a strong current 

 throughout the day. At seven we made to the shore and 

 encamped. 



Monday 10. At three this morning we returned to our- 

 canoe ; the weather fine and clear, with a light wind from 

 the South-East. The Indians were before us in pursuit 

 of game. At ten we landed opposite to the mountains 

 which we had passed on the second of the last month, in 

 order to ascertain the variation of the compass at this place ; 

 but this was accomplished in a very imperfect manner, as I 

 could not depend on my watch. One of the hunters join- 

 ed us here, fatigued and unsuccessful. As these moun- 

 tains are the last of any considerable magnitude on the 

 South- W r est side of the river, I ordered my men to cross 

 to that side of it, that I might ascend one of them. It was 

 near four in the afternoon when I landed, and I lost no 

 time in proceeding to the attainment of my object. I was 

 accompanied only by a young Indian, as the curiosity oi 



