212 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



mountains between south and west, that no 

 further examination was necessary in that 

 direction; and they continued their march 

 until the 6th at noon, without finding any 

 part of the lake inclining nearer the fort. 

 They therefore encamped to observe the 

 eclipse, which was to take place on the fol- 

 lowing morning ; but a violent snow storm 

 rendering the observation impossible, they 

 commenced their return, and after a com- 

 fortless and laborious march regained their 

 canoe on the 10th, and embarking in it, ar- 

 rived the same evening at the house. 



Point Lake varied, as far as they traced, 

 from one to three miles in width. Its main 

 course was nearly east and west, but several 

 arms branched off in different directions. 

 I was much pleased with the able manner 

 in which these officers executed the service 

 they had been despatched upon, and was 

 gratified to learn from them that their 

 companions had conducted themselves ex- 

 tremely well, and borne the fatigues of their 

 journey most cheerfully. They scarcely 

 ever had more than sufficient fuel to boil 



