North-West Continent of America. 283 



The water, as I have already observed, was much low- 

 er than when we came up it, though at the same time, the 

 current appeared to be stronger from this place to the 

 forks ; the navigation, however, would now be attended 

 with greater facility, as there is a stony beach all the way, 

 so that poles, or the towing line, may be employed with 

 the best effect, where the current overpowers the use of 

 paddles, 



We were now reduced to a very short allowance ; the 

 disappointment, therefore, at not seeing any animals was 

 proportioned to our exigences, as we did not possess, at 

 this time, more than was sufficient to serve us for two 

 meals. I now dispatched Mr. Mackay and the Indians 

 to proceed to the foot of the rapids, and endeavour in 

 their way to procure some provisions, while I prepared to 

 employ the utmost expedition in getting there ; having 

 determined, notwithstanding the disinclination of my 

 people, from the recollection of what they had suffered in 

 coming that way, to return by the same route. I had ob- 

 served, indeed, that the water which had fallen fifteen 

 feet perpendicular, at the narrow pass below us, had lost 

 much of its former turbulence. 



As dispatch was essential in procuring a supply of pro- 

 visions, we did not delay a moment in making preparation 

 to renew our progress. Five of the men began to carry 

 the baggage, while the sixth and myself took the canoe 

 asunder, to cleanse her of the dirt, and expose her lining 

 and timbers to the air, which would render her much lighter. 

 About sun-set Mr. Mackay and our hunters returned with 

 heavy burdens of the flesh of a buffalo : though not very 

 tender, it was very acceptable, and was the only animal 

 that they had seen, though the country was covered with 

 tracks of them, as well as of the moose-deer and the elk. 

 The former had done rutting, and the latter were begin- 

 ning to run. Our people returned, having left their loads 

 mid-way on the carrying-place. My companion and my- 

 self completed our undertaking, and the canoe was ready 

 to be carried in the morning. An hearty meal concluded 

 the tlay, and every fear of future want was removed. 



Wednesday 21. When the morning dawned we set for- 

 wards, but as a fire had passed through the portage, it 

 was with difficulty we could trace our road in many parts ; 

 and with all the exertion of which we were capable, we did 

 not arrive at th$ river till four in the afternoon. We found 



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