Harmon's journal. 



27 



ing him. To avoid such a disaster, I gave the 

 people of my canoe a few bottles of spirits and 

 porter, by drinking which, they became very mer- 

 ry, and exhibited the reverse of their appearance 

 a few days since, when, with heavy hearts and 

 weeping eyes, they parted from their relations. 

 Shortly after we had pitched our tents, an Irish 

 gentleman, whose house was near the margin of 

 the water, politely invited me to take tea with 

 him. 



Friday, May 2. Chute au Blondeau. We 

 have a strong head wind. But, since yesterday 

 morning, we have come nearly sixty miles, and 

 have passed two Rapids. At these places, most 

 of the property was taken out of the canoes, and 

 carried across the Portages, on the backs of the 

 people. The young men, who had never been in 

 the Indian countries, now began to regret that 

 they had enlisted into this service, which requires 

 them, as they say, to carry burdens like horses, 

 when, by remaining in their own country, they 

 might have laboured like men. 



Sunday, 4. The wind has been so high, during 

 the whole of the day, that we could not go upon 

 •the water. I have therefore passed the time in 

 reading, and in the society of a fellow-clerk. 



Monday, 5. We are now about one hundred 

 and twenty miles from Montreal. This afternoon., 



