JStorth>West Continent of America, 173 



an oblong form^ covered, and very neatly walled with 

 bark. A pole was fixed near it, to which, at the height 

 of ten or twelve feet, a piece of bark was attached, which 

 was probably a memorial, or symbol of distinction. Our 

 next course was South by West two miles and an half, 

 when we saw an house on an island, South-East by East 

 one mile and three quarters, in which we observed another 

 island, with an house upon it. A river also flowed from 

 the right, and the land was high and rocky, and wooded 

 with the epinette. 



Our canoe was now become so crazy, that it was a mat- 

 ter of absolute necessity to construct another ; and as from 

 the appearance of the country there was reason to expect 

 that bark was to be found, we landed at eight, 'with the 

 hope of procuring it. I accordingly dispatched four men 

 with that commission, and at twelve they returned with a 

 sufficient quantity to make the bottom of a canoe of five 

 fathom in length, and four feet and an half in height. At 

 noon I had an observation, which gave me 53. 17. 28. 

 North latitude. 



We now continued our voyage South-East by South 

 one mile an an half, East-South-East one mile, East- 

 North- East half a mile, South-East two miles, South-East 

 by South one mile, South-East six miles, and East-North- 

 East. Here the river narrows between two steep rocks, 

 and a rapid succeeded, which was so violent that we did 

 not venture to run it. I therefore ordered the loading 

 to be taken out of the canoe, but she was now become so 

 heavy that the men preferred running the rapid to the 

 carrying her overland. Though I did not altogother ap- 

 prove of their proposition, I was unwilling to oppose it* 

 Four of them undertook this hazardous expedition, and I 

 hastened to the foot of the rapid with great anxiety, to 

 wait the event, which turned out as I expected. The 

 water was so strong, that although they kept clear of the 

 rocks, the canoe filled, and in this state they drove half way 

 down the rapid, but fortunately she did not overset ; and 

 having got her into an eddy, they emptied her, and in an 

 half-drowned condition arrived safe on shore. The carry- 

 ing-place is about half a mile over, with an Indian path 

 | across it. Mr. Mackay, and the hunters, saw some deer 

 on an island above the rapid ; and had that discovery been 

 made before the departure of the canoe, there is little 

 doubt but we should have added a considerable quantity 



