North-West Continent of Americd. 197 



and we understood from him, that, at some distance up 

 the river, we should find plenty of bark and cedar. 



At ten, being at the foot of a rapid, we saw a small 

 canoe coming down with two men in it. We thought it 

 would be impossible for them to escape, and therefore 

 struck off from the shore with a design to intercept them, 

 directing the old man, at the same time, to address them; 

 but they no sooner perceived us, than they steered into 

 the strength of the current, where I thought that they must 

 inevitably perish ; but their attention appeared to be en- 

 grossed by the situation of their canoe, and they escaped 

 without making us the least reply. 



About three in the afternoon we perceived a lodge at 

 the entrance of a considerable river on the right, as well 

 as the tracks of people in the mud at the mouth of a small 

 river on the left. As they appeared to be fresh, we landed 

 and endeavoured to trace them, but without success. 1 

 We then crossed over to the lodge, which was deserted, 

 but all the usual furniture of such buildings remained un- 

 touched. 



Throughout the whole of this day the men had been in 

 a state of extreme ill-humour, and as they did not choose 

 openly to vent it upon me, they disputed and quarrelled 

 among themselves. About sun-set the canoe struck upon 

 the stump of a tree, which broke a large hole in her bot- 

 tom ; a circumstance that gave them an opportunity to let 

 loose their discontents without reserve. I left them as 

 soon as we had landed, and ascended an elevated bank, 

 in a state of mind which I scarce wish to recollect, and 

 shall not attempt to describe. At this place there was a 

 subterraneous house, where I determined to pass the 

 night. The water had risen since we had passed down, 

 and it was with the utmost exertion that we came up se- 

 veral points in the course of the day. 



Thursday 27. We embarked at half past four, with 

 very favourable weather, and at eight we landed, where 

 there was an appearance of our being able to procure bark ; 

 we, however, obtained but a small quantity. At twelve 

 we went on shore again, and collected as much as was ne- 

 cessary for our purpose. It now remained for us to fix 

 on a proper place for building another canoe, as it was 

 impossible to proceed with our old one, which Was be- 

 come an absolute wreck. At five in the afternoon we 

 came to a spot well adapted to the business in which we 



