178 harmon's journal. 



Thursday, April 6. The weather is mild. 

 The people, whom we sent for bark, have re- 

 turned, with one hundred and eighty fathoms, 

 which will make nine canoes, that will carry about 

 two tons burthen, each. Two men will easily 

 transport one of them on their shoulders, across 

 the portages. 



Tuesday, 11. Geese and bustards begin to 

 come from the south. 



Tuesday, 18. This morning, the ice in this 

 river broke up. 



Saturday, May 6. The surrounding plains are 

 all on fire. — We have planted our potatoes, and 

 sowed most of our garden seeds. — Our people 

 are preparing to set out for the Rainy Lake. 



Thursday, 11. We, yesterday, sent off eleven 

 canoes, loaded with the returns of this place* and 

 of St John's ; and, early this morning, Messrs. D. 

 McTavish, J. G. M'Tavish, F. Goedike and J. 

 M c Gillivray, embarked on board of two light ca- 

 noes, bound for the Rainy Lake and Fort Wil- 

 liam. But I am to pass the ensuing summer, at 

 this place. — The last winter was, to me, the most 

 agreeable one that I have yet spent in this country. 

 The greatest harmony prevailed among us, the 

 days glided on smoothly, and the winter passed, 

 almost imperceptibly, away. 



Tuesday, 16. In the morning, Messrs. Simon 



