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Journal of a Voyage through the 



all its lading ; the impediment, indeed, might have been 

 removed by two axe-men m a few hours. On the edge 

 of the water, we observed a large quantity of thick, yel- 

 low scum or froth, of an acrid taste and smell. 



We embarked on this lake, which is in the same course, 

 and about the same size as that which we had just left, and 

 from whence we passed into a small river, that was so full 

 of fallen wood, as to employ some time, and require some 

 exertion, to force a passage. At the entrance, it afforded 

 no more water than was just sufficient to bear the canoe ; 

 but it was soon increased by many small streams which 

 came in broken rills down the rugged sides of the moun- 

 tains, and were furnished, as I suppose, by the melting of 

 the snow. These accessory streamlets had all the cold- 

 ness of ice. Our course continued to be obstructed 

 by banks of gravel, as well as trees which had fallen 

 across the river. We were obliged to force our way 

 through the one, and to cut through the other, at a great 

 expense of time and trouble. In many places the current 

 was also very rapid and meandering. At four in the after- 

 noon, we stopped to unload and carry, and at five we en- 

 tered a small round lake of about one third of a mile in 

 diameter. From the last lake to this is, I think, in a 

 straight line, East by South six miles, though it is twice 

 that distance by the winding of the river. We again en- 

 tered the river, which soon ran with great rapidity, and 

 rushed impetuously over a bed of flat stones. At half 

 past six we were stopped by two large trees that lay across 

 the river, and it was with great difficulty that the canoe 

 was prevented from driving against them. Here we un- 

 loaded and formed our encampment. 



The weather was cloudy and raw, and as the circum- 

 stances of this day's voyage had compelled us to be fre- 

 quently in the water, which was cold as ice, we were al- 

 most in a benumbed state. Some of the people who had 

 gone ashore to lighten the canoe, experienced great diffi- 

 culty in reaching us, from the rugged state of the country ; 

 it was, indeed, almost dark when they arrived. We had 

 no sooner landed than I sent two men down the river to 

 bring me some account of its circumstances, that I might 

 form a judgment of the difficulties which might await us 

 on the morrow ; and they brought back a fearful detail of 

 rapid currents, fallen trees, and large stones. At this 

 place our guide manifested evident symptoms of discon- 



