North-West Continent of America, 1ST 



which had been already mentioned, in the hope that I 

 might obtain some additional information. From their 

 former account they did not make the least de viation , but 

 they informed me further, that where they left this river, 

 a small one from the Westward falls into it, which was 

 aiavigable for their canoes during four days, and from 

 ■thence they slept but two nights, to get to the people with 

 whom they trade, and who have wooden canoes much 

 larger than ours, in which they go down a river to the sea. 

 They continued to inform me, that if I went that way, we 

 must leave our own canoe behind us ; but they thought it 

 probable that those people would furnish us with another. 

 From thence they stated the distance to be only one day's 

 voyage with the current to the lake whose water is nauseous, 

 and where they had heard that great canoes came two win- 

 ters ago, and that the people belonging to them, brought 

 great quantities of goods and built houses. 



At the commencement of this conversation, I was very 

 much surprised by the following question from one of the 

 Indians : " What," demanded he, " can be the reason 

 *' that you are so particular and anxious in your inquiries 

 '' CC of us respecting a knowledge of this country : do not 

 u you white men know every thing in the world?" This 

 interrogatory was so very unexpected, that it occasioned 

 some hesitation before I could answer it. At length, how- 

 ever, I replied, that we certainly were acquainted with the 

 principal circumstances of every part of the world; that I 

 knew where the sea is, and where I myself then was, but 

 that I did not exactly understand what obstacles might in- 

 terrupt me in getting to it , with which, he and his rela- 

 tions must be well acquainted, as they had so frequently 

 surmounted them. Thus I fortunately preserved the im- 

 pression in their minds, of the superiority of white people 

 over themselves. 



It was now, however, absolutely necessary that I should 

 come to a final determination which route to take ; and no 

 long interval of reflection was employed, before I preferred 

 to go over land : the comparative shortness and security 

 of such a journey, were alone sufficient to determine me. 

 I accordingly proposed to two of the Indians to accompany 

 me, and one of them readily assented to my proposition. 



I now called those of my people about me, who had not 

 been present at my consultation with the natives ; and after 

 passing a warm eulogium on their fortitude, patience, and 



