Worth-West Continent of America, 135 



Indeed, the rush of the water was so powerful, that we 

 were the greatest part of the afternoon in getting two or 

 three miles — a very tardy and mortifying progress, and 

 Twhich, with the voyage, was openly execrated by many 

 of those who were engaged in it ; and the inexpressible 

 toil these people had endured, as well as the dangers they 

 had encountered, required some degree of consideration; 

 X therefore employed those arguments which were the 

 best calculated to calm their immediate discontents, as 

 well as to encourage their future hopes, though, at the 

 same time, I delivered my sentiments in such a manner 

 as to convince them that I was determined to proceed. 



On the 1st of June we embarked at sun-rise, and to- 

 wards noon the current began to slacken; we then put to 

 shore, in order to gum the canoe, when a meridian alti- 

 tude gave me 55. 42. 16. North latitude. We then con- 

 tinued our course, and towards the evening the current 

 began to recover its former strength. Mr. Mack ay and 

 the Indians had already disembarked, to walk and lighten 

 the boat. At sun-set we encamped on a point, being the 

 first dry land which had been found on this side the river, 

 that was fit for our purpose, since our people went on 

 shore. In the morning we passed a large rapid river, that 

 flowed in from the right. 



In no part of the North-West did I see so much bea- 

 ver-work, within an equal distance, as in the course of 

 this day. In some places they had cut down several acres 

 of large poplars ; and we saw also a great number of these 

 active and sagacious animals. The time which these 

 wonderful creatures allot for their labours, whether in 

 .erecting their curious habitations, or providing food, ia 

 the whole of the interval between the setting and the ris- 

 ing sun. 



Towards the dusky part of the evening we heard several 

 discharges from the fowling pieces of our people, which 

 we answered, to inform them of our situation ; and some 

 time after it was dark, they arrived in an equal state of 

 fatigue and alarm : they were also obliged to swim across 

 a channel in order to get to us, as we were situated on an 

 island, though we were ignorant of the circumstance, tili 

 they came to inform us. One of the Indians was positive 

 that he heard the discharge of fire-arms above our encamp- 

 ment ; and on comparing the number of our discharges 

 -with theirs, there appeared to be some foundation for his 



