North-West Continent of America. 



189 



At ten in the morning we embarked, and went up the 

 current much faster than I expected with such a crazy- 

 vessel as that which carried us. We met our people at 

 the house as had been appointed : but the Indian still con- 

 tinued to prefer going on by land, and it would have been 

 needless for me to oppose him. He proceeded, there- 

 fore, with his former companions, whom I desired to 

 keep him in good humour by every reasonable gratifica- 

 tion. They were also furnished with a few articles that 

 might be of use if they should meet with strangers. 



In a short time after we had left the house, I saw a 

 wodden canoe coming down the river, with three natives 

 in it, who, as soon as they perceived us, made for the 

 shore, and hurried into the woods. On passing their 

 vessel, we discovered it to be one of those which we had 

 seen at the lodges. A severe gust of wind, with rain, 

 came from the South-South-East. This we found to be 

 a very prevalent wind in these parts. We soon passed 

 another wooden canoe drawn stern foremost on the shore ; 

 a circumstance which we had not hitherto observed. The 

 men worked very hard, and though I imagined we went 

 a-head very fast, we could not reach the lodges, but landed 

 for the night at nine, close to the encampment of two 

 families of the natives whom we had formerly seen at the 

 lodges. I immediately went and sat down with them, 

 when they gave some roasted fish; two of my men who 

 followed me were gratified also with some of their pro- 

 visions. The youngest of the two natives now quitted 

 the shed, and did not return during the time I remained 

 there. I endeavoured to explain to the other by signs, 

 the cause of my sudden return, which he appeared to un- 

 derstand. In the mean time my tent was pitched, and 

 on my going to it, I was rather surprised that he did not 

 follow me, as he had been constantly with me during the 

 day and night I had passed with his party on going down. 

 We, however, went to rest in a state of perfect security ; 

 nor had we the least apprehension for the safety of our 

 people who were gone by land. 



Monday 24. We were in our canoe by four this morn- 

 ing, and passed by the Indian hut, which appeared in a 

 atate of perfect tranquillity. We soon came in sight of 

 the point where we first saw the natives, and at eight were 

 much surprised and disappointed at seeing Mr. Mackay, 

 and our two Indians coming alone from the ruins of an 



