harmon's journal. 



143 



bushels of it, from the Natives ; and it constitutes ' 

 a principal article of food, at the posts in this vi- 

 cinity. 



I have here received letters from my friends 

 in Vermont, which left them in April last ; and 

 which have, as usual, afforded me much satisfac- 

 tion. 



Saturday, 6. Rainy Lake. We are about ten 

 miles from the fort, on this lake ; and have been 

 encamped, during the greater part of the day, in 

 order that our people may repair their canoes ; 

 for they will soon be obliged to transport them 

 over a number of long portages. 



Monday 8. Cross Lake. Here we meet 

 several canoes which, about the beginning of May 

 last, left Montreal, that have goods on board, 

 which will be carried in them to the Rainy Lake 

 fort, and will thence be transported to Athabasca, 

 — At this lake, we leave the route which leads to 

 the old Grand Portage. 



Tuesday, 9. During the whole of this day, 

 we have been crossing small lakes, and coming 

 down what deserve the name of brooks, rather 

 than rivers.— We have met eight canoes, on their 

 way to the Rainy Lake. 



Friday, 12. The Plain Portage. In the for- 

 mer part of the. day, we met, A. N. M c Leod, Esq. 

 who is now from the New Fort, on his way back 



