North-West Continent of America. 207 



they were very much dissatisfied, and if they had dared, 

 would have instantly left us. They had hitherto been very 

 much indulged, but the moment was now arrived when 

 indulgence was no longer practicable. My own load, and 

 that of Mr. Mackay, consisted of twenty-two pounds of 

 pemmican, some rice, a little sugar, &c. amounting in the 

 whole to about seventy pounds each, besides our arms and 

 ammunition. I had also the tube of my telescope swung 

 across my shoulder, which was a troublesome addition to 

 my burthen. It was determined that we should content 

 ourselves with two meals a-day, which were regulated 

 without difficulty, as our provisions did not require the 

 ceremony of cooking. 



In this state of equipment we began our journey, as I 

 have already mentioned, about twelve at noon, the com- 

 mencement of which was a steep ascent of about a mile ; 

 it lay along a well-beaten path, but the country through 

 which it led was rugged and ridgy, and full of wood. 

 When we were in a state of extreme heat, from the toil of 

 our journey, the rain came on, and continued till the even- 

 ing, and even when it ceased, the underwood continued 

 its drippings upon us. 



About half past six we arrived at an Indian camp of 

 three fires, where we found our guide, and on his recom- 

 mendation we determined to remain there for the night. 

 The computed distance of this day's journey was about 

 twelve geographical miles ; the course about West. 



At sun-set an elderly man and three other natives joined 

 us from the Westward. The former bore a lance that 

 very much resembled a Serjeant's halberd. He had lately 

 received it, by way of barter, from the natives of the Sea- 

 Coast, who procured it from the white men. We should 

 meet, he said, with many of his countrymen, who had just 

 returned from thence. According to his report, it did 

 not require more than six days journey, for people who 

 are not heavily laden, to reach the country of those with 

 whom they bartered their skins for iron, &c. and from 

 thence it is not quite two day's march to the sea. They 

 proposed to send two young men on before us, to notify 

 to the different tribes that we were approaching, that they 

 might not be surprised at our appearance, and be disposed 

 to offer us a friendly reception. This was a measure 

 which I could not but approve, and endeavoured by some 

 small presents to prepossess our couriers in our favour. 



