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Title: Voyages from Montreal Through the Continent of North America to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans in 1789 and 1793. Vol. I

Author: Alexander Mackenzie

Release date: March 22, 2011 [eBook #35658]
                Most recently updated: January 7, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Owen O'Donovan


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VOYAGES FROM MONTREAL THROUGH THE CONTINENT OF NORTH AMERICA TO THE FROZEN AND PACIFIC OCEANS IN 1789 AND 1793. VOL. I ***




Produced by Owen O'Donovan




VOYAGES from MONTREAL
THROUGH THE CONTINENT of NORTH AMERICA

TO THE
FROZEN and PACIFIC OCEANS
IN 1789 and 1793

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE
AND STATE OF THE FUR TRADE

By

ALEXANDER MACKENZIE

WITH MAP


IN TWO VOLUMES

VOL. I.


NEW YORK
A. S. BARNES AND COMPANY
1903




Registered at the
Library of Congress, August, 1902
A. S. BARNES & COMPANY




Introduction.

The exact date of Sir Alexander Mackenzie's birth is not accurately
known, although it is supposed he was born at Inverness, Scotland, about
1755.  He came to North America at an early age and obtained employment
in the counting-house of Messrs. Gregory and Co., a connexion of the
North-West Fur Company.  It was while he was with this company that he
obtained the experience and knowledge necessary to his profession of a
fur-trader, long before he undertook his arduous and dangerous
expeditions to the far North.  He was soon to distinguish himself.  His
firm gave him a small venture to Detroit on condition that he penetrate
to the back country, which was then almost entirely unexplored, and open
up trade with the Indians.  He carried out his task in his usual
thorough manner, but not without a severe struggle with a party of
European traders, who had already obtained a foothold on the margin of
this district, and who resented any interference with their monopoly by
outside parties.  However, finally the intruders were permitted to
remain and share in the trade with the first comers.  For many years
after this, Mr. Mackenzie was occupied in trading and exploring in
various parts of the continent, but of these operations we have,
unfortunately, little or no record.  After the amalgamation of the
North-West Company with the older Hudson's-Bay Company, Mr. Mackenzie
appears to have resided in Canada, where he became a member of the
provincial parliament, representing Huntingdon County.  He married in
1812, and afterwards bought an estate at Avoch, Ross-shire, Scotland,
where he resided until his death in March, 1820.

It is as an explorer of the vast and lonely wilds of the North that
Mackenzie's fame chiefly rests.  The bravery and hardihood which carried
him thousands of miles over the prairie and muskegs of the illimitable
plains, down the rapids of great unknown rivers, over the ranges of
almost impassable mountains, will always command the admiration of all
who care for noble deeds.  With a small party of Canadian _voyageurs_
and Indians, in birch-bark canoes, Mr. Mackenzie started to explore the
unknown regions of the North.  Skirting the Great Slave Lake, he finally
entered the Mackenzie River, and then began that long, deep plunge into
the wilderness, which lasted many months, until he finally emerged on
the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in Latitude 69. North.  Here he set up a
post with his name and date of visit.  The return voyage was fraught
with many dangers and vicissitudes, but he finally arrived safely at
Fort Chippewayan in September, 1789.

Mr. Mackenzie's next expedition was even more dangerous and difficult
than the former.  He started from Fort Chippewayan on the 10th of July,
1792, with the object of reaching the Pacific Coast, an enterprise never
before attempted by a European.  After more than nine months of perilous
travel he achieved his ambition and reached the Great Western Ocean near
Cape Menzies on the 22nd June, 1793.  He is said to have inscribed on
the face of a rock the date of his visit, and here it was that he was
nearly murdered by the natives before setting out on his return.

The results of Mr. Mackenzie's voyages to the far North have not been
meagre.  The opening of the territory to the west of the Rocky
Mountains, followed quickly after; and the great Hudson's-Bay Company
immediately started to stud the whole northern country with small
trading posts, whence have been drawn since incalculable riches in the
furs of the North.

All this is easy enough to write down, but the tale is still far from
being told in full.  What of the long days of gloom and loneliness, days
of peril and uncertainty, days when hope had almost reached the
vanishing point?  Who shall speak? It is a fascinating record which has
placed the name of this indomitable Scotchman beside the names of the
world's greatest explorers.

ROBERT WAITE.




Preface.

On presenting this Volume to my Country, it is not necessary to enter
into a particular account of those voyages whose journals form the
principal part of it, as they will be found, I trust, to explain
themselves.  It appears, however, to be a duty, which the Public have a
right to expect from me, to state the reasons which have influenced me
in delaying the publication of them.

It has been asserted, that a misunderstanding between a person high in
office and myself, was the cause of this procrastination.  It has also
been propagated, that it was occasioned by that precaution which the
policy of commerce will sometimes suggest; but they are both equally
devoid of foundation.  The one is an idle tale; and there could be no
solid reason for concealing the circumstances of discoveries, whose
arrangements and prosecution were so honourable to my associates and
myself, at whose expense they were undertaken.  The delay actually arose
from the very active and busy mode of life in which I was engaged since
the voyages have been completed; and when, at length, the opportunity
arrived, the apprehension of presenting myself to the Public in the
character of an Author, for which the courses and occupations of my life
have by no means qualified me, made me hesitate in committing my papers
to the Press; being much better calculated to perform the voyages,
arduous as they might be, than to write an account of them.  However,
they are now offered to the Public with the submission that becomes me.

I was led, at an early period of life, by commercial views, to the
country North-West of Lake Superior, in North America, and being endowed
by Nature with an inquisitive mind and enterprising spirit; possessing
also a constitution and frame of body equal to the most arduous
undertakings, and being familiar with toilsome exertions in the
prosecution of mercantile pursuits, I not only contemplated the
practicability of penetrating across the continent of America, but was
confident in the qualifications, as I was animated by the desire, to
undertake the perilous enterprise.

The general utility of such a discovery, has been universally
acknowledged; while the wishes of my particular friends and commercial
associates, that I should proceed in the pursuit of it, contributed to
quicken the execution of this favourite project of my own ambition: and
as the completion of it extends the boundaries of geographic science,
and adds new countries to the realms of British commerce, the dangers I
have encountered, and the toils I have suffered, have found their
recompence; nor will the many tedious and weary days, or the gloomy and
inclement nights which I have passed, have been passed in vain.

The first voyage has settled the dubious point of a practicable
North-West passage; and I trust it has set that long agitated question
at rest, and extinguished the disputes respecting it for ever.  An
enlarged discussion of that subject will be found to occupy the
concluding pages of this volume.

In this voyage, I was not only without the necessary books and
instruments, but also felt myself deficient in the sciences of astronomy
and navigation; I did not hesitate, therefore, to undertake a winter's
voyage to this country, in order to procure the one, and acquire the
other.  These objects being accomplished, I returned, to determine the
practicability of a commercial communication through the continent of
North America, between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which is proved
by my second journal.  Nor do I hesitate to declare my decided opinion,
that very great and essential advantages may be derived by extending our
trade from one sea to the other.

Some account of the fur trade of Canada from that country, of the native
inhabitants, and of the extensive districts connected with it, forms a
preliminary discourse, which will, I trust, prove interesting to a
nation, whose general policy is blended with, and whose prosperity is
supported by, the pursuits of commerce.  It will also qualify the reader
to pursue the succeeding voyages with superior intelligence and
satisfaction.

These voyages will not, I fear, afford the variety that may be expected
from them; and that which they offered to the eye, is not of a nature to
be effectually transferred to the page.  Mountains and valleys, the
dreary waste, and the wide-spreading forests, the lakes and rivers
succeed each other in general description; and, except on the coasts of
the Pacific Ocean, where the villages were permanent, and the
inhabitants in a great measure stationary, small bands of wandering
Indians are the only people whom I shall introduce to the acquaintance
of my readers.

The beaver and the buffalo, the moose-deer and the elk, which are the
principal animals to be found in these countries, are already so
familiar to the naturalists of Europe, and have been so often as well as
correctly described in their works, that the bare mention of them, as
they enlivened the landscape, or were hunted for food; with a cursory
account of the soil, the course and navigation of lakes and rivers, and
their various produce, is all that can be reasonably expected from me.

I do not possess the science of the naturalist; and even if the
qualifications of that character had been attained by me, its curious
spirit would not have been gratified.  I could not stop to dig into the
earth, over whose surface I was compelled to pass with rapid steps; nor
could I turn aside to collect the plants which nature might have
scattered on the way, when my thoughts were anxiously employed in making
provision for the day that was passing over me.  I had to encounter
perils by land and perils by water; to watch the savage who was our
guide, or to guard against those of his tribe who might meditate our
destruction.  I had, also, the passions and fears of others to control
and subdue.  To-day, I had to assuage the rising discontents, and on the
morrow, to cheer the fainting spirits of the people who accompanied me.
The toil of our navigation was incessant, and oftentimes extreme; and in
our progress over land, we had no protection from the severity of the
elements, and possessed no accommodations or conveniences but such as
could be contained in the burden on our shoulders, which aggravated the
toils of our march, and added to the wearisomeness of our way.

Though the events which compose my journals may have little in
themselves to strike the imagination of those who love to be astonished,
or to gratify the curiosity of such as are enamoured of romantic
adventures; nevertheless, when it is considered, that I explored those
waters which had never before borne any other vessel than the canoe of
the savage; and traversed those deserts where an European had never
before presented himself to the eye of its swarthy natives; when to
these considerations are added the important objects which were pursued,
with the dangers that were encountered, and the difficulties that were
surmounted to attain them, this work will, I flatter myself, be found to
excite an interest, and conciliate regard, in the minds of those who
peruse it.

The general map which illustrates this volume, is reduced by
Mr. Arrowsmith from his three-sheet map of North America, with the
latest discoveries, which he is about to republish.  His professional
abilities are well known, and no encomium of mine will advance the
general and merited opinion of them.

Before I conclude, I must beg leave to inform my readers, that they are
not to expect the charms of embellished narrative, or animated
description; the approbation due to simplicity and to truth, is all I
presume to claim; and I am not without the hope that this claim will be
allowed me.  I have described whatever I saw with the impressions of the
moment which presented it to me.  The successive circumstances of my
progress are related without exaggeration or display.  I have seldom
allowed myself to wander into conjecture; and whenever conjecture has
been indulged, it will be found, I trust, to be accompanied with the
temper of a man who is not disposed to think too highly of himself: and
if, at any time, I have delivered myself with confidence, it will
appear, I hope, to be on those subjects, which, from the habits and
experience of my life, will justify an unreserved communication of my
opinions.  I am not a candidate for literary fame; at the same time, I
cannot but indulge the hope that this volume, with all its
imperfections, will not be thought unworthy the attention of the
scientific geographer; and that, by unfolding countries hitherto
unexplored, and which, I presume, may now be considered as a part of the
British dominions, it will be received as a faithful tribute to the
prosperity of my country.

ALEXANDER MACKENZIE.

London,
November 30, 1801.




Table of Contents.


CHAPTER I.

Embarked at Fort Chepewyan, on the Lake of the
  Hills, in company with M. Le Roux.  Account
  of the party, provisions, etc.  Direction of the
  course.  Enter one of the branches of the Lake.
  Arrive in the Peace River.  Appearance of the
  land.  Navigation of the river.  Arrive at the
  mouth of the Dog River.  Successive description
  of several carrying places.  A canoe lost in one of
  the Falls.  Encamp on Point de Roche.  Course
  continued.  Set the nets, etc.  Arrive at the Slave
  Lake.  The weather extremely cold.  Banks of
  the river described, with its trees, soil, etc.
  Account of the animal productions, and the fishery
  of the Lake.  Obliged to wait till the moving of
  the ice.  Three families of Indians arrive from
  Athabasca, Beavers, geese, and swans killed.
  The nets endangered by ice.  Re-embark and land
  on a small island.  Course continued along the
  shores, and across the bays of the Lake.  Various
  successes of the hunters.  Steer for an island where
  there was plenty of cranberries and small onions.
  Kill several reindeer.  Land on an island named
  Isle a la Cache.  Clouds of mosquitoes.


CHAPTER II.

Landed at some lodges of Red-Knife Indians: procure
  one of them to assist in navigating the bays
  Conference with the Indians.  Take leave of M.
  Le Roux, and continue the voyage.  Different
  appearances of the land; its vegetable produce.
  Visit an island where the wood had been felled.
  Further description of the coast.  Plenty of rein
  and moose-deer, and white partridges.  Enter a
  very deep bay.  Interrupted by ice.  Very blowing
  weather, Continue to cross the bay.  Arrive
  at the mouth of a river.  Great numbers of fish
  and wild-fowl.  Description of the land on either
  side.  Curious appearance of woods that had been
  burned.  Came in sight of the Horn Mountain.
  Continue to kill geese and swans, etc.  Violent
  storm.


CHAPTER III.

Continued our course.  The river narrows.  Lost
  the lead.  Passed a small river.  Violent rain.
  Land on a small island.  Expect to arrive at the
  rapid.  Conceal two bags of pemmican in an island.
  A view of mountains.  Pass several encampments
  of the natives.  Arrive among the islands.
  Ascend a high hill.  Violence of the current.
  Ice seen along the banks of the river.
  Land at village of the natives.  Their conduct
  and appearance.  Their fabulous stories.  The
  English chief and Indians discontented.  Obtain
  a new guide.  Singular customs of the natives.
  An account of their dances.  Description of their
  persons, dress, ornaments, buildings, arms for war
  and hunting, canoes, etc.  Passed on among islands.
  Encamped beneath a hill, and prevented
  from ascending by the mosquitoes.  Landed at an
  encampment.  Conduct of the inhabitants.  They
  abound in fabulous accounts of dangers.  Land
  at other encampments.  Procure plenty of hares
  and partridges.  Our guide anxious to return.
  Land and alarm the natives, called the Hare Indians,
  etc.  Exchange our guide.  State of the weather.


CHAPTER IV.

The new guide makes his escape.  Compel another
  to supply his place.  Land at an encampment of
  another tribe of Indians.  Account of their manners,
  dress, weapons, etc.  Traffic with them.
  Description of a beautiful fish.  Engage another
  guide.  His curious behaviour.  Kill a fox and
  ground-hog.  Land at an encampment of a tribe
  called the Deguthee Denees, or Quarrellers.  Saw
  flax growing wild.  The varying character of the
  river and its banks.  Distant mountains.  Perplexity
  from the numerous channels of the river.
  Determined to proceed.  Land where there had
  been an encampment of the Esquimaux.  Saw
  large flocks of wild-fowl.  View of the sun at
  midnight.  Description of a place lately deserted
  by the Indians.  Houses of the natives described.
  Frequent showers.  Saw a black fox.  The discontents
  of our hunters renewed, and pacified.
  Face of the country.  Land at a spot lately inhabited.
  Peculiar circumstances of it.  Arrive at the
  entrance of the lake.  Proceed to an island.  Some
  account of it.


CHAPTER V.

The baggage removed from the rising of the water.
  One of the nets driven away by the wind and
  current.  Whales are seen.  Go in pursuit of them,
  but prevented from continuing it by the
  fog.  Proceed to take a view of the ice.  Canoe
  in danger from the swell.  Examine the islands.
  Describe one of them.  Erect a post to perpetuate
  our visit there.  The rising of the water appears
  to be the tide.  Successful fishing.  Uncertain
  weather.  Sail among the islands.  Proceed to a
  river.  Temperature of the air improves.  Land
  on a small island, which is a place of sepulture.
  Description of it.  See a great number of wild fowl.
  Fine view of the river from the high land.
  The hunters kill reindeer.  Cranberries, etc., found
  in great plenty.  The appearance and state of the
  country.  Our guide deserts.  Large flight of
  geese; kill many of them.  Violent rain.  Return
  up the river.  Leave the channels for the main
  stream.  Obliged to tow the canoe.  Land among
  the natives.  Circumstances concerning them.
  Their account of the Esquimaux Indians.
  Accompany the natives to their huts.  Account
  of our provisions.


CHAPTER VI.

Employ the towing line.  Description of a place
  where the Indians come to collect flint.  Their
  shyness and suspicions.  Current lessons.  Appearance
  of the country.  Abundance of hares.
  Violent storm.  Land near three lodges.  Alarm
  of the Indians.  Supply of fish from them.  Their
  fabulous accounts.  Continue to see Indian lodges.
  Treatment of a disease.  Misunderstanding with
  the natives.  The interpreter harangues them.
  Their accounts similar to those we have already
  received.  Their curious conduct.  Purchase some
  beaver skins.  Shoot one of their dogs.  The
  consequence of that act.  Apprehensions of the women.
  Large quantities of liquorice.  Swallows' nests
  seen in the precipices.  Fall in with a party of the
  natives killing geese.  Circumstances concerning
  them.  Hurricane.  Variation of the weather.
  Kill great numbers of geese.  Abundance of several
  kinds of berries.  State of the river and its
  bank.


CHAPTER VII.

Voyage continued.  Suspect the integrity of the
  interpreter.  Stars visible.  Springs of mineral
  water, and lumps of iron ore.  Arrive at the river
  of the Bear Lake.  Coal mine in a state of combustion.
  Water of the river diminished, Continue
  to see Indian encampments, and kill geese,
  etc.  Hunting excursions.  A canoe found on the
  edge of the wood.  Attempt to ascend a mountain.
  Account of the passage to it.  See a few of
  the natives.  Kill a beaver and some hares.  Design
  of the English chief.  Kill a wolf.  Changeable
  state of the weather.  Recover the pemmican,
  which had been hidden in an island.  Natives fly
  at our approach.  Meet with dogs.  Altercation
  with the English chief.  Account of the articles
  left by the fugitives.  Shoals of the river covered
  with saline matter.  Encamp at the mouth of the
  river of the mountain.  The ground on fire on
  each side of it.  Continue to see encampments of
  the natives.  Various kinds of berries.  Kill geese,
  swans, etc., etc., etc.  Corroding quality of the
  water.  Weather changeable.  Reach the entrance
  of the Slave Lake.  Dangers encountered on entering
  it.  Caught pike and trout.  Met M. Le Roux
  on the lake.  Further circumstances till our
  return to Fort Chepewyan.  Conclusion of the voyage.


CHAPTER VIII.

Leave Fort Chepewyan.  Proceed to the Peace
  River.  State of the Lakes.  Arrive at Peace
  Point.  The reason assigned for its name.  The
  weather cold.  Arrive at the Falls.  Description
  of the country.  Land at the Fort, called The Old
  Establishment.  The principal building destroyed
  by fire.  Course of the river.  Arrive at another
  fort.  Some account of the natives.  Depart from
  thence.  Course of the river continued, It divides
  into two branches.  Proceed along the principal
  one.  Land at the place of our winter's residence.
  Account of its circumstances and inhabitants, etc.
  Preparations for erecting a fort, etc., etc.  Table
  of the weather.  Broke the thermometer.  Frost
  sets in.  Description of birds.




A GENERAL HISTORY OF THE FUR TRADE
FROM CANADA TO THE NORTH-WEST.


The fur trade, from the earliest settlement of Canada, was considered of
the first importance to that colony.  The country was then so populous,
that, in the vicinity of the establishments, the animals whose skins
were precious, in a commercial view, soon became very scarce, if not
altogether extinct.  They were, it is true, hunted at former periods,
but merely for food and clothing.  The Indians, therefore, to procure
the necessary supply, were encouraged, to penetrate into the country,
and were generally accompanied by some of the Canadians, who found means
to induce the remotest tribes of natives to bring the skins which were
most in demand, to their settlements, in the way of trade.

It is not necessary for me to examine the cause, but experience proves
that it requires much less time for a civilized people to deviate into
the manners and customs of savage life, than for savages to rise into a
state of civilization.  Such was the event with those who thus
accompanied the natives on their hunting and trading excursions; for
they became so attached to the Indian mode of life, that they lost all
relish for their former habits and native homes.  Hence they derived the
title of _Coureurs des Bois_, became a kind of pedlars, and were
extremely useful to the merchants engaged in the fur trade; who gave
them the necessary credit to proceed on their commercial undertakings.
Three or four of these people would join their stock, put their property
into a birch-bark canoe, which they worked themselves, and either
accompanied the natives in their excursions, or went at once to the
country where they knew they were to hunt.  At length, these voyages
extended to twelve or fifteen months, when they returned with rich
cargoes of furs, and followed by great numbers of the natives.  During
the short time requisite to settle their accounts with the merchants,
and procure fresh credit, they generally contrived to squander away all
their gains, when they returned to renew their favourite mode of life:
their views being answered, and their labour sufficiently rewarded, by
indulging themselves in extravagance and dissipation, during the short
space of one month in twelve or fifteen.

This indifference about amassing property, and the pleasure of living
free from all restraint, soon brought on a licentiousness of manners
which could not long escape the vigilant observation of the
missionaries, who had much reason to complain of their being a disgrace
to the Christian religion; by not only swerving from its duties
themselves, but by thus bringing it into disrepute with those of the
natives who had become converts to it; and, consequently, obstructing
the great object to which those pious men had devoted their lives.  They
therefore exerted their influence to procure the suppression of these
people, and accordingly, no one was allowed to go up the country to
traffic with the Indians, without a license from the government.

At first these permissions were, of course, granted only to those whose
character was such as could give no alarm to the zeal of the
missionaries: but they were afterwards bestowed as rewards for services,
on officers, and their widows; and they, who were not willing or able to
make use of them (which may be supposed to be always the case with those
of the latter description), were allowed to sell them to the merchants,
who necessarily employed the Coureurs des bois, in quality of their
agents; and these people, as may be imagined, gave sufficient cause for
the renewal of former complaints; so that the remedy proved, in fact,
worse than the disease.

At length, military posts were established at the confluence of the
different large lakes of Canada, which, in a great measure checked the
evil consequences that followed from the improper conduct of these
foresters, and, at the same time, protected the trade.  Besides, a
number of able and respectable men, retired from the army, prosecuted
the trade in person, under their respective licences, with great order
and regularity, and extended it to such a distance, as, in those days,
was considered to be an astonishing effort of commercial enterprize.
These persons and the missionaries having combined their views at the
same time, secured the respect of the natives, and the obedience of the
people necessarily employed in the laborious parts of this undertaking.
These gentlemen denominated themselves commanders, and not traders,
though they were entitled to both those characters: and, as for the
missionaries, if sufferings and hardships in the prosecution of the
great work which they had undertaken, deserved applause and admiration,
they had an undoubted claim to be admired and applauded: they spared no
labour and avoided no danger in the execution of their important office;
and it is to be seriously lamented, that their pious endeavours did not
meet with the success which they deserved: for there is hardly a trace
to be found beyond the cultivated parts, of their meritorious functions.

The cause of this failure must be attributed to a want of due
consideration in the mode employed by the missionaries, to propagate the
religion of which they were the zealous ministers.  They habituated
themselves to the savage life, and naturalized themselves to the savage
manners, and, by thus becoming dependent, as it were, on the natives,
they acquired their contempt rather than their veneration.  If they had
been as well acquainted with human nature, as they were with the
articles of their faith, they would have known that the uncultivated
mind of an Indian must be disposed by much preparatory method and
instruction to receive the revealed truths of Christianity, to act under
its sanctions, and be impelled to good by the hope of its reward, or
turned from evil by the fear of its punishments.  They should have begun
their work by teaching some of those useful arts which are the inlets of
knowledge, and lead the mind by degrees to objects of higher
comprehension.  Agriculture, so formed to fix and combine society, and
so preparatory to objects of superior consideration, should have been
the first thing introduced among a savage people: it attaches the
wandering tribe to that spot where it adds so much to their comforts;
while it gives them a sense of property, and of lasting possession,
instead of the uncertain hopes of the chase, and the fugitive produce of
uncultivated wilds.  Such were the means by which the forests of
Paraguay were converted into a scene of abundant cultivation, and its
savage inhabitants introduced to all the advantages of a civilized life.

The Canadian missionaries should have been contented to improve the
morals of their own countrymen, so that by meliorating their character
and conduct, they would have given a striking example of the effect of
religion in promoting the comforts of life to the surrounding savages;
and might by degrees have extended its benign influence to the remotest
regions of that country, which was the object, and intended to be the
scene, of their evangelical labours.  But by bearing the light of the
Gospel at once to the distance of two thousand five hundred miles from
the civilized part of the colonies, it was soon obscured by the cloud of
ignorance that darkened the human mind in those distant regions.

The whole of their long route I have often travelled, and the
recollection of such a people as the missionaries having been there, was
confined to a few superannuated Canadians, who had not left that country
since the cession to the English, in 1763, and who particularly
mentioned the death of some, and the distressing situation of them all.
But if these religious men did not attain the objects of their
persevering piety, they were, during their mission, of great service to
the commanders who engaged in those distant expeditions, and spread the
fur trade as far West as the banks of the Saskatchiwine river, in
53. North latitude, and longitude 102. West.

 At an early period of their intercourse with the savages, a custom was
introduced of a very excellent tendency, but is now unfortunately
discontinued, of not selling any spirituous liquor to the natives.  This
admirable regulation was for some time observed, with all the respect
due to the religion by which it was sanctioned, and whose severest
censures followed the violation of it.  A painful penance could alone
restore the offender to the suspended rites of the sacrament.  The
casuistry of trade, however, discovered a way to gratify the Indians
with their favourite cordial without incurring the ecclesiastical
penalties, by giving, instead of selling it to them.

But notwithstanding all the restrictions with which commerce was
oppressed under the French government, the fur trade was extended to the
immense distance which has been already stated; and surmounted many most
discouraging difficulties, which will be hereafter noticed; while, at
the same time, no exertions were made from Hudson's Bay to obtain even a
share of the trade of a country, which according to the charter of that
company, belonged to it, and, from its proximity, is so much more
accessible to the mercantile adventurer.

Of these trading commanders, I understood, that two attempted to
penetrate to the Pacific Ocean, but the utmost extent of their journey I
could never learn; which may be attributed, indeed, to a failure of the
undertaking.

For some time after the conquest of Canada, this trade was suspended,
which must have been very advantageous to the Hudson's-Bay Company, as
all the inhabitants to the westward of Lake Superior were obliged to go
to them for such articles as their habitual use had rendered necessary.
Some of the Canadians who had lived long with them, and were become
attached to a savage life, accompanied them thither annually, till
mercantile adventurers again appeared from their own country, after an
interval of several years, owing, as I suppose, to an ignorance of the
country in the conquerors, and their want of commercial confidence in
the conquered.  There were, indeed, other discouragements, such as the
immense length of the journey necessary to reach the limits beyond which
this commerce must begin; the risk of property; the expenses attending
such a long transport; and an ignorance of the language of those who,
from their experience, must be necessarily employed as the intermediate
agents between them and the natives.  But, notwithstanding these
difficulties, the trade, by degrees, began to spread over the different
parts to which it had been carried by the French, though at a great risk
of the lives, as well as the property of their new possessors, for the
natives had been taught by their former allies to entertain hostile
dispositions towards the English, from their having been in alliance
with their natural enemies the Iroquois; and there were not wanting a
sufficient number of discontented, disappointed people, to keep alive
such a notion; so that for a long time they were considered and treated
as objects of hostility.  To prove this disposition of the Indians, we
have only to refer to the conduct of Pontiac, at Detroit, and the
surprise and taking of Michilimakinac, about this period.

Hence it arose, that it was so late as the year 1766, before which, the
trade I mean to consider, commenced from Michilimakinac.  The first who
attempted it were satisfied to go the length of the river Camenistiquia,
about thirty miles to the Eastward of the Grande Portage, where the
French had a principal establishment, and was the line of their
communication with the interior country.  It was once destroyed by fire.
Here they went and returned successful in the following spring to
Michilimakinac.  Their success induced them to renew their journey, and
incited others to follow their example.  Some of them remained at
Camenistiquia, while others proceeded to and beyond the Grande Portage,
which, since that time has become the principal entrepot of that trade,
and is situated in a bay, in latitude 48. North, and longitude 90. West.
After passing the usual season there, they went back to Michilimakinac
as before, and encouraged by the trade, returned in increased numbers.
One of these, Thomas Curry, with a spirit of enterprize superior to that
of his contemporaries, determined to penetrate to the furthest limits of
the French discoveries in that country; or at least till the frost
should stop him.  For this purpose he procured guides and interpreters,
who were acquainted with the country, and with four canoes arrived at
Fort Bourbon, which was one of their posts, at the West end of the Cedar
Lake, on the waters of the Saskatchiwine.  His risk and toil were well
recompensed, for he came back the following spring with his canoes
filled with fine furs, with which he proceeded to Canada, and was
satisfied never again to return to the Indian country.

From this period, people began to spread over every part of the country,
particularly where the French had established settlements.

Mr. James Finlay was the first who followed Mr.  Curry's example, and
with the same number of canoes, arrived, in the course of the next
season, at Nipawee, the last of the French settlements on the bank of
the Saskatchiwine river, in latitude nearly 43½. North, and longitude
103. West: he found the good fortune, as he followed, in every respect,
the example, of his predecessor.

As may be supposed, there were now people enough ready to replace them,
and the trade was pursued with such avidity, and irregularity, that in a
few years it became the reverse of what it ought to have been.  An
animated competition prevailed, and the contending parties carried the
trade beyond the French limits, though with no benefit to themselves or
neighbours, the Hudson's-Bay Company; who in the year 1774, and not till
then, thought proper to move from home to the East bank of Sturgeon
Lake, in latitude 53. 56. North, and longitude 102. 15. West, and became
more jealous of their fellow subjects; and, perhaps, with more cause,
than they had been of those of France.  From this period, to the present
time, they have been following the Canadians to their different
establishments, while, on the contrary, there is not a solitary instance
that the Canadians have followed them; and there are many trading posts
which they have not yet attained.  This, however, will no longer be a
mystery, when the nature and policy of the Hudson's-Bay Company is
compared with that, which has been pursued by their rivals in this
trade.--But to return to my subject.

This competition, which has been already mentioned, gave a fatal blow to
the trade from Canada, and, with other incidental causes, in my opinion,
contributed to its ruin.  This trade was carried on in a very distant
country, out of the reach of legal restraint, and where there was a free
scope given to any ways or means in attaining advantage.  The
consequence was not only the loss of commercial benefit to the persons
engaged in it, but of the good opinion of the natives, and the respect
of their men, who were inclined to follow their example; so that with
drinking, carousing, and quarrelling with the Indians along their route,
and among themselves, they seldom reached their winter quarters; and if
they did, it was generally by dragging their property upon sledges, as
the navigation was closed up by the frost.  When at length they were
arrived, the object of each was to injure his rival traders in the
opinion of the natives as much as was in their power, by
misrepresentation and presents, for which the agents employed were
peculiarly calculated.  They considered the command of their employer as
binding on them, and however wrong or irregular the transaction, the
responsibility rested with the principal who directed them.  This is
Indian law.  Thus did they waste their credit and their property with
the natives, till the first was past redemption, and the last was nearly
exhausted; so that towards the spring in each year, the rival parties
found it absolutely necessary to join, and make one common stock of what
remained, for the purpose of trading with the natives, who could
entertain no respect for persons who had conducted themselves with so
much irregularity and deceit.  The winter, therefore, was one continued
scene of disagreements and quarrels, If any one had the precaution or
good sense to keep clear of these proceedings, he derived a
proportionable advantage from his good conduct, and frequently proved a
peacemaker between the parties.  To such an height had they carried this
licentious conduct, that they were in a continual state of alarm, and
were even frequently stopped to pay tribute on their route into the
country; though they had adopted the plan of travelling together in
parties of thirty or forty canoes, and keeping their men armed; which
sometimes, indeed, proved necessary for their defence.

Thus was the trade carried on for several years, and consequently
becoming worse and worse, so that the partners, who met them at the
Grande Portage, naturally complained of their ill success.  But specious
reasons were always ready to prove that it arose from circumstances
which they could not at that time control; and encouragements were held
forth to hope that a change would soon take place, which would make
ample amends for past disappointments.

It was about this time, that Mr. Joseph Frobisher, one of the gentlemen
engaged in the trade, determined to penetrate into the country yet
unexplored, to the North and Westward, and, in the spring of the year
1775, met the Indians from that quarter on their way to Fort Churchill,
at Portage de Traite, so named from that circumstance, on the banks of
the Missinipi, or Churchill river, latitude 55. 25. North, longitude
103½. West.  It was indeed, with some difficulty that he could induce
them to trade with him, but he at length procured as many furs as his
canoes could carry.  In this perilous expedition he sustained every kind
of hardship incident to a journey through a wild and savage country,
where his subsistence depended on what the woods and the waters
produced.  These difficulties, nevertheless, did not discourage him from
returning in the following year, when he was equally successful.  He
then sent his brother to explore the country still further West, who
penetrated as far as the lake of Isle a la Crosse, in latitude
55. 26. North, and longitude 108. West.

He, however, never after wintered among the Indians, though he retained
a large interest in the trade, and a principal share in the direction of
it till the year 1798, when he retired to enjoy the fruits of his
labours; and, by his hospitality, became known to every respectable
stranger who visited Canada.

The success of this gentleman induced others to follow his example, and
in the spring of the year 1778, some of the traders on the Saskatchiwine
river, finding they had a quantity of goods to spare, agreed to put them
into a joint stock, and gave the charge and management of them to
Mr. Peter Pond, who, in four canoes, was directed to enter the English
River, so called by Mr. Frobisher, to follow his track, and proceed
still further; if possible, to Athabasca, a country hitherto unknown but
from Indian report.  In this enterprise he at length succeeded and
pitched his tent on the banks of the Elk river, by him erroneously
called the Athabasca river, about forty miles from the Lake of the
Hills, into which it empties itself.

Here he passed the winter of 1778-9; saw a vast concourse of the
Knisteneaux and Chepewyan tribes, who used to carry their furs annually
to Churchill; the latter by the barren grounds, where they suffered
innumerable hardships, and were sometimes even starved to death.  The
former followed the course of the lakes and rivers, through a country
that abounded in animals, and where there was plenty of fish: but though
they did not suffer from want of food, the intolerable fatigue of such a
journey could not be easily repaid to an Indian: they were, therefore,
highly gratified by seeing people come to their country to relieve them
from such long, toilsome, and dangerous journeys; and were immediately
reconciled to give an advanced price for the articles necessary to their
comfort and convenience.  Mr.  Pond's reception and success was
accordingly beyond his expectation; and he procured twice as many furs
as his canoes would carry.  They also supplied him with as much
provision as he required during his residence among them, and sufficient
for his homeward voyage.  Such of the furs as he could not embark, he
secured in one of his winter huts, and they were found the following
season, in the same state in which he left them.

These, however, were but partial advantages, and could not prevent the
people of Canada from seeing the improper conduct of some of their
associates, which rendered it dangerous to remain any longer among the
natives.  Most of them who passed the winter at the Saskatchiwine, got
to the Eagle hills, where, in the spring of the year 1780, a few days
previous to their intended departure, a large band of Indians being
engaged in drinking about their houses, one of the traders, to ease
himself of the troublesome importunities of a native, gave him a dose of
laudanum in a glass of grog, which effectually prevented him from giving
further trouble to any one, by setting him asleep for ever.  This
accident produced a fray, in which one of the traders, and several of
the men were killed, while the rest had no other means to save
themselves but by a precipitate flight, abandoning a considerable
quantity of goods, and near half the furs which they had collected
during the winter and the spring.

About the same time, two of the establishments on the Assiniboin river,
were attacked with less justice, when several white men, and a great
number of Indians were killed.  In short, it appeared, that the natives
had formed a resolution to extirpate the traders; and, without entering
into any further reasonings on the subject, it appears to be
incontrovertible, that the irregularity pursued in carrying on the trade
has brought it into its present forlorn situation; and nothing but the
greatest calamity that could have befallen the natives, saved the
traders from destruction: this was the small-pox, which spread its
destructive and desolating power, as the fire consumes the dry grass of
the field.  The fatal infection spread around with a baneful rapidity
which no flight could escape, and with a fatal effect that nothing could
resist.  It destroyed with its pestilential breath whole families and
tribes; and the horrid scene presented to those who had the melancholy
and afflicting opportunity of beholding it, a combination of the dead,
the dying, and such as to avoid the horrid fate of their friends around
them, prepared to disappoint the plague of its prey, by terminating their
own existence.

The habits and lives of these devoted people, which provided not to-day
for the wants of to-morrow, must have heightened the pains of such an
affliction, by leaving them not only without remedy, but even without
alleviation.  Naught was left them but to submit in agony and despair.

To aggravate the picture, if aggravation were possible, may be added,
the putrid carcases which the wolves, with a furious voracity, dragged
forth from the huts, or which were mangled within them by the dogs,
whose hunger was satisfied with the disfigured remains of their masters.
Nor was it uncommon for the father of a family, whom the infection had
not reached, to call them around him to represent the cruel sufferings
and horrid fate of their relations, from the influence of some evil
spirit who was preparing to extirpate their race; and to incite them to
baffle death, with all its horrors, by their own poniards.  At the same
time, if their hearts failed them in this necessary act, he was himself
ready to perform the deed of mercy with his own hand, as the last act of
his affection, and instantly to follow them to the common place of rest
and refuge from human evil.

It was never satisfactorily ascertained by what means this malignant
disorder was introduced, but it was generally supposed to be from the
Missisouri, by a war party.

The consequence of this melancholy event to the traders must be
self-evident; the means of disposing of their goods were cut off; and no
furs were obtained, but such as had been gathered from the habitations
of the deceased Indians, which could not be very considerable: nor did
they look from the losses of the present year, with any encouraging
expectations to those which were to come.  The only fortunate people
consisted of a party who had again penetrated to the Northward and
Westward in 1780, at some distance up the Missinipi, or English river,
to Lake la Ronge.  Two unfortunate circumstances, however, happened to
them; which are as follow:

Mr. Wadin, a Swiss gentleman, of strict probity and known sobriety, had
gone there in the year 1779, and remained during the summer of 1780.
His partners and others, engaged in an opposite interest, when at the
Grande Portage, agreed to send a quantity of goods on their joint
account, which was accepted, and Mr. Pond was proposed by them to be
their representative to act in conjunction with Mr. Wadin.  Two men, of
more opposite characters, could not, perhaps, have been found.  In
short, from various causes, their situations became very uncomfortable
to each other, and mutual ill-will was the natural consequence: without
entering, therefore, into a minute history of these transactions, it
will be sufficient to observe, that, about the end of the year 1780, or
the beginning of 1781, Mr. Wadin had received Mr. Pond and one of his
own clerks to dinner; and, in the course of the night, the former was
shot through the lower part of the thigh, when it was said that he
expired from the loss of blood, and was buried next morning at eight
o'clock.  Mr. Pond, and the clerk, were tried for this murder at
Montreal, and acquitted: nevertheless, their innocence was not so
apparent as to extinguish the original suspicion.

The other circumstance was this.  In the spring of the year, Mr. Pond
sent the abovementioned clerk to meet the Indians from the Northward,
who used to go annually to Hudson's Bay; when he easily persuaded them
to trade with him, and return back, that they might not take the
contagion which had depopulated the country to the Eastward of them: but
most unfortunately they caught it here, and carried it with them, to the
destruction of themselves and the neighbouring tribes.

The country being thus depopulated, the traders and their friends from
Canada, who, from various causes already mentioned, were very much
reduced in number, became confined to two parties, who began seriously
to think of making permanent establishments on the Missinipi river, and
at Athabasca; for which purpose, in 1781-2, they selected their best
canoe-men, being ignorant that the small-pox penetrated that way.  The
most expeditious party got only in time to the Portage la Loche, or
Mithy-Ouinigam, which divides the waters of the Missinipi from those
that fall into the Elk river, to despatch one canoe strong-handed, and
light-loaded, to that country; but, on their arrival there, they found,
in every direction, the ravages of the small-pox; so that, from the
great diminution of the natives, they returned in the spring with no
more than seven packages of beaver.  The strong woods and mountainous
countries afforded a refuge to those who fled from the contagion of the
plains; but they were so alarmed at the surrounding destruction, that
they avoided the traders, and were dispirited from hunting, except for
their subsistence.  The traders, however, who returned into the country
in the year 1782-3, found the inhabitants in some sort of tranquillity,
and more numerous than they had reason to expect, so that their success
was proportionably better.

During the winter of 1783-4, the merchants of Canada, engaged in this
trade, formed a junction of interests, under the name of the North-West
Company, and divided it into sixteen shares, without depositing any
capital; each party furnishing a proportion or quota of such articles as
were necessary to carry on the trade: the respective parties agreeing to
satisfy the friends they had in the country, who were not provided for,
according to this agreement, out of the proportions which they held.
The management of the whole was accordingly entrusted to
Messrs. Benjamin and Joseph Frobisher, and Mr. Simon M'Tavish, two
distinct houses, who had the greatest interest and influence in the
country, and for which they were to receive a stipulated commission in
all transactions.

In the spring, two of those gentlemen went to the Grande Portage with
their credentials, which were confirmed and ratified by all the parties
having an option, except Mr. Peter Pond, who was not satisfied with the
share allotted him.  Accordingly he, and another gentleman, Mr. Peter
Pangman, who had a right to be a partner, but for whom no provision had
been made, came to Canada, with a determination to return to the
country, if they could find any persons to join them, and give their
scheme a proper support.

The traders in the country, and merchants at Montreal, thus entered into
a co-partnership, which, by these means, was consolidated and directed
by able men, who, from the powers with which they were entrusted, would
carry on the trade to the utmost extent it would bear.  The traders in
the country, therefore, having every reason to expect that their past
and future labours would be recompensed, forgot all their former
animosities, and engaged with the utmost spirit and activity, to forward
the general interest; so that, in the following year, they met their
agents at the Grande Portage, with their canoes laden with rich furs
from the different parts of that immense tract of country.  But this
satisfaction was not to be enjoyed without some interruption; and they
were mortified to find that Mr. Pangman had prevailed on Messrs. Gregory
and Macleod to join him, and give him their support in the business,
though deserted by Mr. Pond, who accepted the terms offered by his
former associates.

In the counting-house of Mr. Gregory I had been five years; and at this
period had left him, with a small adventure of goods, with which he had
entrusted me, to seek my fortune at Detroit.  He, without any
solicitation on my part, had procured an insertion in the agreement,
that I should be admitted a partner in this business, on condition that
I would proceed to the Indian country in the following spring, 1785.
His partner came to Detroit to make me such a proposition.  I readily
assented to it, and immediately proceeded to the Grande Portage, where I
joined my associates.

We now found that independent of the natural difficulties of the
undertaking, we should have to encounter every other which they, who
were already in possession of the trade of the country, could throw in
our way, and which their circumstances enabled them to do.  Nor did they
doubt, from their own superior experience, as well as that of their
clerks and men, with their local knowledge of the country and its
inhabitants, that they should soon compel us to leave the country to
them.  The event, however, did not justify their expectations; for,
after the severest struggle ever known in that part of the world, and
suffering every oppression which a jealous and rival spirit could
instigate; after the murder of one of our partners, the laming of
another, and the narrow escape of one of our clerks, who received a
bullet through his powder horn, in the execution of his duty, they were
compelled to allow us a share of the trade.  As we had already incurred
a loss, this union was, in every respect, a desirable event to us, and
was concluded in the month of July, 1787.

This commercial establishment was now founded on a more solid basis than
any hitherto known in the country; and it not only continued in full
force, vigour, and prosperity, in spite of all interference from Canada,
but maintained at least an equal share of advantage with the
Hudson's-Bay Company, notwithstanding the superiority of their local
situation.  The following account of this self-erected concern will
manifest the cause of its success.

It assumed the title of the North-West Company, and was no more than an
association of commercial men, agreeing among themselves to carry on the
fur trade, unconnected with any other business, though many of the
parties engaged had extensive concerns altogether foreign to it.  It may
be said to have been supported entirely upon credit; for, whether the
capital belonged to the proprietor, or was borrowed, it equally bore
interest, for which the association was annually accountable.  It
consisted of twenty shares, unequally divided among the persons
concerned.  Of these, a certain proportion was held by the people who
managed the business in Canada, and were styled agents for the Company.
Their duty was to import the necessary goods from England, store them at
their own expense at Montreal, get them made up into articles suited to
the trade, pack and forward them, and supply the cash that might be
wanting for the outfits, for which they received, independent of the
profit on their shares, a commission on the amount of the accounts,
which they were obliged to make out annually, and keep the adventure of
each year distinct.  Two of them went annually to the Grande Portage, to
manage and transact the business there, and on the communication at
Detroit, Michilimakinac, St. Mary's, and at Montreal, where they
received, stored, packed up, and shipped the company's furs for England,
on which they had also a small commission.  The remaining shares were
held by the proprietors, who were obliged to winter and manage the
business of the concern with the Indians, and their respective clerks,
etc.  They were not supposed to be under any obligation to furnish
capital, or even credit.  If they obtained any capital by the trade, it
was to remain in the hands of the agents; for which they were allowed
interest.  Some of them, from their long services and influence, held
double shares, and were allowed to retire from the business at any
period of the existing concern, with one of those shares, naming any
young man in the company's service to succeed him in the other.
Seniority and merit were, however, considered as affording a claim to
the succession, which, nevertheless, could not be disposed of without
the concurrence of the majority of the concern; who, at the same time,
relieved the seceding person from any responsibility respecting the
share that he transferred, and accounted for it according to the annual
value or rate of the property; so that the seller could have no
advantage, but that of getting the share of stock which he retained
realised, and receiving for the transferred share what was fairly
determined to be the worth of it.  The former was also discharged from
all duty, and became a dormant partner.  Thus, all the young men who
were not provided for at the beginning of the contract, succeeded in
succession to the character and advantages of partners.  They entered
into the Company's service for five or seven years, under such
expectations, and their reasonable prospects were seldom disappointed:
there were, indeed, instances when they succeeded to shares, before
their apprenticeship was expired, and it frequently happened, that they
were provided for while they were in a state of articled clerkship.
Shares were transferable only to the concern at large, as no person
could be admitted as a partner who had not served his time to the trade.
The dormant partner indeed might dispose of his interest to any one he
chose, but if the transaction was not acknowledged by his associates,
the purchaser could only be considered as his agent or attorney.  Every
share had a vote, and two-thirds formed a majority.  This regular and
equitable mode of providing for the clerks of the company, excited a
spirit of emulation in the discharge of their various duties, and in
fact, made every agent a principal, who perceived his own prosperity to
be immediately connected with that of his employers.  Indeed, without
such a spirit, such a trade could not have become so extended and
advantageous, as it has been and now is.

In 1788, the gross amount of the adventure for the year did not exceed
forty thousand pounds,[1] but by the exertion, enterprise, and industry
of the proprietors, it was brought, in eleven years, to triple that
amount and upwards; yielding proportionate profits, and surpassing, in
short, any thing known in America.

Such, therefore, being the prosperous state of the company, it, very
naturally, tempted others to interfere with the concern in a manner by
no means beneficial to the company, and commonly ruinous to the
undertakers.

In 1798 the concern underwent a new form, the shares were increased to
forty-six, new partners being admitted, and others retiring.  This
period was the termination of the company, which was not renewed by all
the parties concerned in it, the majority continuing to act upon the old
stock, and under the old firm; the others beginning a new one; and it
now remains to be decided, whether two parties, under the same
regulations and by the same exertions, though unequal in number, can
continue to carry on the business to a successful issue.  The contrary
opinion has been held, which if verified, will make it the interest of
the parties again to coalesce; for neither is deficient in capital to
support their obstinacy in a losing trade, as it is not to be supposed
that either will yield on any other terms than perpetual participation.

It will not be superfluous in this place, to explain the general mode of
carrying on the fur trade.

The agents are obliged to order the necessary goods from England in the
month of October, eighteen months before they can leave Montreal; that
is, they are not shipped from London until the spring following, when
they arrive in Canada in the summer.  In the course of the following
winter they are made up into such articles as are required for the
savages; they are then packed into parcels of ninety pounds weight each,
but cannot be sent from Montreal until the May following; so that they
do not get to market until the ensuing winter, when they are exchanged
for furs, which come to Montreal the next fall, and from thence are
shipped, chiefly to London, where they are not sold or paid for before
the succeeding spring, or even as late as June; which is forty-two
months after the goods were ordered in Canada; thirty-six after they had
been shipped from England, and twenty-four after they had been forwarded
from Montreal; so that the merchant, allowing that he has twelve months'
credit, does not receive a return to pay for those goods, and the
necessary expenses attending them, which is about equal to the value of
the goods themselves, till two years after they are considered as cash,
which makes this a very heavy business.  There is even a small
proportion of it that requires twelve months longer to bring round the
payment, going to, the immense distance it is carried, and from the
shortness of the seasons, which prevents the furs, even after they are
collected, from coming out of the country for that period.[2]

The articles necessary for this trade, are coarse woollen cloths of
different kinds; milled blankets of different sizes; arms and
ammunition; twist and carrot tobacco; Manchester goods; linens, and
coarse sheetings; thread, lines, and twine; common hardware; cutlery and
ironmongery of several descriptions; kettles of brass and copper, and
sheet-iron; silk and cotton handkerchiefs, hats, shoes, and hose;
calicoes and printed cottons, etc., etc., etc.  Spirituous liquors and
provisions are purchased in Canada.  These, and the expense of transport
to and from the Indian country, including wages to clerks, interpreters,
guides, and canoe-men, with the expense of making up the goods for the
market, form about half the annual amount against the adventure.

This expenditure in Canada ultimately tends to the encouragement of
British manufactory, for those who are employed in the different
branches of this business, are enabled by their gains to purchase such
British articles as they must otherwise forego.

The produce of the year of which I am now speaking, consisted of the
following furs and peltries:

 106,000 Beaver skins,      6,000 Lynx skins,
   2,100 Bear skins,          600 Wolverine skins,
   1,500 Fox skins,         1,650 Fisher skins,
   4,000 Kitt Fox skins       100 Rackoon skins,
   4,600 Otter skins,       8,800 Wolf skins,
  17,000 Musquash skins,      700 Elk skins,
  32,000 Marten skins,        750 Deer skins,
   1,800 Mink skins,        1,200 Deer skins dressed,
     500 Buffalo robes, and quantity of castorum.

Of these were diverted from the British market, being sent through the
United States to China, 13,364 skins, fine beaver, weighing 19,283
pounds; 1,250 fine otters, and 1,724 kitt foxes.  They would have found
their way to the China market at any rate, but this deviation from the
British channel arose from the following circumstance:

An adventure of this kind was undertaken by a respectable house in
London, half concerned with the North-West Company, in the year 1792.
The furs were of the best kind, and suitable to the market; and the
adventurers continued this connexion for five successive years, to the
annual amount of forty thousand pounds.  At the winding up of the
concern of 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, in the year 1797 (the adventure of
1796 not being included, as the furs were not sent to China, but
disposed of in London), the North-West Company experienced a loss of
upwards of £40,000 (their half), which was principally owing to
the difficulty of getting home the produce procured in return for the
furs from China, in the East India Company's ships, together with the
duty payable, and the various restrictions of that company.  Whereas,
from America there are no impediments; they get immediately to market,
and the produce of them is brought back, and perhaps sold in the course
of twelve months.  From such advantages, the furs of Canada will no
doubt find their way to China by America, which would not be the case if
British subjects had the same privileges that are allowed to foreigners,
as London would then be found the best and safest market.

But to return to our principal subject.  We shall now proceed to
consider the number of men employed in the concern: viz., fifty clerks,
seventy-one interpreters and clerks, one thousand one hundred and twenty
canoe-men, and thirty-five guides.  Of these, five clerks, eighteen
guides, and three hundred and fifty canoe-men, were employed for the
summer season in going from Montreal to the Grande Portage, in canoes,
part of whom proceeded from thence to Rainy Lake, as will be hereafter
explained, and are called Pork-eaters, or Goers and Comers.  These were
hired in Canada or Montreal, and were absent from the 1st of May till
the latter end of September.  For this trip the guides had from eight
hundred to a thousand livres, and, a suitable equipment; the foreman and
steersman from four to six hundred livres; the middle-men from two
hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty livres, with an equipment
of one blanket, one shirt, and one pair of trowsers; and were maintained
during that period at the expense of their employers.  Independent of
their wages, they were allowed to traffic, and many of them earned to
the amount of their wages.  About one-third of these went to winter, and
had more than double the above wages and equipment.  All the winterers
were hired by the year, and sometimes for three years; and of the clerks
many were apprentices, who were generally engaged for five or seven
years, for which they had only one hundred pounds, provision and
clothing.  Such of them who could not be provided for as partners, at
the expiration of this time, were allowed from one hundred pounds to
three hundred pounds per annum, with all necessaries, till provision was
made for them.  Those who acted in the two-fold capacity of clerk and
interpreter, or were so denominated, had no other expectation than the
payment of wages to the amount of from one thousand to four thousand
livres per annum, with clothing and provisions.  The guides, who are a
very useful set of men, acted also in the additional capacity of
interpreters, and had a stated quantity of goods, considered as
sufficient for their wants, their wages being from one to three thousand
livres.  The canoe-men are of two descriptions, foremen and steersmen,
and middlemen.  The two first were allowed annually one thousand two
hundred, and the latter eight hundred, livres each.  The first class had
what is called an equipment, consisting of two blankets, two shirts, two
pair of trowsers, two handkerchiefs, fourteen pounds of carrot tobacco,
and some trifling articles.  The latter had ten pounds of tobacco, and
all the other articles: those are called North Men, or Winterers; and to
the last class of people were attached upwards of seven hundred Indian
women and children, victualled at the expence of the company.

The first class of people are hired in Montreal five months before they
set out, and receive their equipments, and one-third of their wages in
advance; and an adequate idea of the labour they undergo, may be formed
from the following account of the country through which they pass, and
their manner of proceeding.

The necessary number of canoes being purchased, at about three hundred
livres each, the goods formed into packages, and the lakes and rivers
free of ice, which they usually are in the beginning of May, they are
then despatched from La Chine, eight miles above Montreal, with eight or
ten men in each canoe, and their baggage; and sixty-five packages of
goods, six hundred weight of biscuit, two hundred weight of pork, three
bushels of pease, for the men's provision; two oil-cloths to cover the
goods, a sail, etc., an axe, a towing-line, a kettle, and a sponge to
bail out the water, with a quantity of gum, bark, and watape, to repair
the vessel.  An European on seeing one of these slender vessels thus
laden, heaped up, and sunk with her gunwale within six inches of the
water, would think his fate inevitable in such a boat, when he reflected
on the nature of her voyage; but the Canadians are so expert that few
accidents happen.

Leaving La Chine, they proceed to St. Ann's, within two miles of the
Western extremity of the island of Montreal, the lake of the two
mountains being in sight, which may be termed the commencement of the
Utawas river.  At the rapid of St. Ann they are obliged to take out
part, if not the whole of their lading.  It is from this spot that the
Canadians consider they take their departure, as it possesses the last
church on the island, which is dedicated to the tutelar saint of
voyages.

The lake of the two mountains is about twenty miles long, but not more
than three wide, and surrounded by cultivated fields, except the
Seignory belonging to the clergy, though nominally in possession of the
two tribes of Iroquois and Algonquins, whose village is situated on a
delightful point of land under the hills, which, by the title of
mountains, give a name to the lake.  Near the extremity of the point
their church is built, which divides the village in two parts, forming a
regular angle along the water side.  On the East is the station of the
Algonquins, and on the West, one of the Iroquois, consisting in all of
about five hundred warriors.  Each party has its missionary, and divine
worship is performed according to the rites of the Roman Catholic
religion, in their respective languages in the same church: and so
assiduous have their pastors been, that these people have been
instructed in reading and writing in their own language, and are better
instructed than the Canadian inhabitants of the country of the lower
ranks: but notwithstanding these advantages, and though the
establishment is nearly coeval with the colonization of the country,
they do not advance towards a state of civilization, but retain their
ancient habits, language, and customs, and are becoming every day more
depraved, indigent, and insignificant.  The country around them, though
very capable of cultivation, presents only a few miserable patches of
ground, sown by the women with maize and vegetables.  During the winter
season, they leave their habitations, and pious pastors, to follow the
chase, according to the custom of their forefathers.  Such is, indeed,
the state of all the villages near the cultivated parts of Canada.  But
we shall now leave them to proceed on our voyage.

At the end of the lake the water contracts into the Utawas river, which,
after a course of fifteen miles, is interrupted by a succession of
rapids and cascades for upwards of ten miles, at the foot of which the
Canadian Seignories terminate; and all above them were waste land, till
the conclusion of the American war, when they were surveyed by order of
government, and granted to the officers and men of the eighty-fourth
regiment, when reduced; but principally to the former, and consequently
little inhabited, though very capable of cultivation.

The voyagers are frequently obliged to unload their canoes, and carry
the goods upon their backs, or rather suspended in slings from their
heads.  Each man's ordinary load is two packages, though some carry
three.  Here the canoe is towed by a strong line.  There are some places
where the ground will not admit of their carrying the whole; they then
make two trips, that is, leave half their lading, and go and land it at
the distance required; and then return for that which was left.  In this
distance are three carrying-places, the length of which depends in a
great measure upon the state of the water, whether higher or lower; from
the last of these the river is about a mile and a half wide, and has a
regular current for about sixty miles, when it ends at the first Portage
de Chaudiere, where the body of water falls twenty-five feet, over
cragged, excavated rocks, in a most wild, romantic manner.  At a small
distance below, is the river Rideau on the left, falling over a
perpendicular rock, near forty feet high, in one sheet, assuming the
appearance of a curtain; and from which circumstance it derives its
name.  To this extent the lands have been surveyed, as before observed,
and are very fit for culture.  Many loyalists are settled upon the river
Rideau, and have, I am told, thriving plantations.  Some American
families preferring the British territory, have also established
themselves along a river on the opposite side, where the soil is
excellent.  Nor do I think the period is far distant, when the lands
will become settled from this vicinity to Montreal.

Over this portage, which is six hundred and forty-three paces long, the
canoe and all the lading is carried.  The rock is so steep and difficult
of access, that it requires twelve men to take the canoe out of the
water: it is then carried by six men, two at each end on the same side,
and two under the opposite gunwale in the middle.  From hence to the
next is but a short distance, in which they make two trips to the second
Portage de Chaudiere, which is seven hundred paces, to carry the loading
alone.  From hence to the next and last Chaudiere, or Portage des
Chenes, is about six miles, with a very strong current, where the goods
are carried seven hundred and forty paces; the canoe being towed up by
the line, when the water is not very high.  We now enter Lac des
Chaudieres, which is computed to be thirty miles in length.  Though it
is called a lake, there is a strong draught downwards, and its breadth
is from two to four miles.  At the end of this is the Portage des Chats,
over which the canoe and lading are carried two hundred and seventy-four
paces; and very difficult it is for the former.  The river is here
barred by a ridge of black rock, rising in pinnacles and covered with
wood, which, from the small quantity of soil that nourishes it, is low
and stinted.  The river finds its way over and through these rocks, in
numerous channels, falling fifteen feet and upwards.  From hence two
trips are made through a serpentine channel, formed by the rocks, for
several miles, when the current slackens, and is accordingly called the
Lac des Chats.  To the channels of the grand Calumet, which are computed
to be at the distance of eighteen miles, the current recovers its
strength, and proceeds to the Portage Dufort, which is two hundred and
forty-five paces long; over which the canoe and baggage are transported.
From hence the current becomes more rapid, and requires two trips to the
Decharge des Sables,[3] where the goods are carried one hundred and
thirty-five paces, and the canoe towed.  Then follows the Mountain
Portage, where the canoe and lading are also carried three hundred and
eighty-five paces; then to the Decharge of the Derige, where the goods
are carried two hundred and fifty paces; and thence to the grand
Calumet.  This is the longest carrying-place in this river, and is about
two thousand and thirty-five paces.  It is a high hill or mountain.
From the upper part of this Portage the current is steady, and is only a
branch of the Utawas river, which joins the main channel, that keeps a
more Southern course, at the distance of twelve computed leagues.  Six
leagues further it forms Lake Coulonge, which is about four leagues in
length; from thence it proceeds through the channels of the Allumettes
to the decharge, where part of the lading is taken out, and carried
three hundred and forty-two paces.  Then succeeds the Portage des
Allumettes, which is but twenty-five paces, over a rock difficult of
access, and at a very short distance from Decharge.  From Portage de
Chenes to this spot, is a fine deer-hunting country, and the land in
many places very fit for cultivation.  From hence the river spreads
wide, and is full of islands, with some current for seven leagues, to
the beginning of _Riviere Creuse_, or Deep River, which runs in the form
of a canal, about a mile and a half wide, for about thirty-six miles;
bounded upon the North by very high rocks, with low land on the South,
and sandy; it is intercepted again by falls and cataracts, so that the
Portages of the two Joachins almost join.  The first is nine hundred and
twenty-six paces, the next seven hundred and twenty, and both very bad
roads.  From hence is a steady current of nine miles to the river du
Moine, where there has generally been a trading house; the stream then
becomes strong for four leagues, when a rapid succeeds, which requires
two trips.  A little way onward is the Decharge, and close to it, the
Portage of the Roche Capitaine, seven hundred and ninety-seven paces in
length.  From hence two trips are made through a narrow channel of the
Roche Capitaine, made by an island four miles in length.  A strong
current now succeeds, for about six leagues to the Portage of the two
rivers, which is about eight hundred and twenty paces; from thence it is
three leagues to the Decharge of the Trou, which is three hundred paces.
Near adjoining is the rapid of Levellier; from whence, including the
rapids of Matawoen, where there is no carrying-place, it is about
thirty-six miles to the forks of the same name; in latitude
46. 45. North, and longitude 78. 45. West, and is at the computed
distance of four hundred miles from Montreal.  At this place the Petite
Riviere falls into the Utawas.  The latter river comes from a
North-Westerly direction, forming several lakes in its course.  The
principal of them is Lake Temescamang, where there has always been a
trading post, which may be said to continue, by a succession of rivers
and lakes, upwards of fifty leagues from the Forks, passing near the
waters of the Lake Abbitiby, in latitude 48½, which is received by
the Moose River, that empties itself into James Bay.

The Petite Riviere takes a South-West direction, is full of rapids and
cataracts to its source, and is not more than fifteen leagues in length,
in the course of which are the following interruptions--The Portage of
Plein Champ, three hundred and nineteen paces; the Decharge of the Rose,
one hundred and forty-five paces; the Decharge of Campion, one hundred
and eighty-four paces; the Portage of the Grosse Roche, one hundred and
fifty paces; the Portage of Paresseux, four hundred and two paces; the
Portage of Prairie, two hundred and eighty-seven paces; the Portage of
La Cave, one hundred paces; Portage of Talon, two hundred and
seventy-five paces; which, for its length, is the worst on the
communication; Portage Pin de Musique, four hundred and fifty-six paces;
next to this, is mauvais de Musique, where many men have been crushed to
death by the canoes, and others have received irrecoverable injuries.
The last in this river is the Turtle Portage, eighty-three paces, on
entering the lake of that name, where, indeed, the river may be said to
take its source.  At the first vase from whence to the great river, the
country has the appearance of having been over-run by fire, and
consists, in general, of huge rocky hills.  The distance of this portage
which is the height of land, between the waters of the St. Laurence and
the Utawas, is one thousand five hundred and thirteen paces to a small
canal in a plain, that is just sufficient to carry the loaded canoe
about one mile to the next vase, which is seven hundred and twenty-five
paces.  It would be twice this distance, but the narrow creek is dammed
in the beaver fashion, to float the canoes to this barrier, through
which they pass, when the river is just sufficient to bear them through
a swamp of two miles to the last vase, of one thousand and twenty-four
paces in length.  Though the river is increased in this part, some care
is necessary to avoid rocks and stumps of trees.  In about six miles is
the lake Nepisingui, which is computed to be twelve leagues long, though
the route of the canoes is something more: it is about fifteen miles
wide in the widest part, and bound with rocks.  Its inhabitants consist
of the remainder of a numerous converted tribe, called Nepisinguis of
the Algonquin nation.  Out of it flows the Riviere des François, over
rocks of a considerable height.  In a bay to the East of this, the road
leads over the Portage of the Chaudiere des François, five hundred and
forty-four paces, to still water.  It must have acquired the name of
Kettle, from a great number of holes in the solid rock of a cylindrical
form, and not unlike that culinary utensil.  They are observable in many
parts along strong bodies of water, and where, at certain seasons, and
distinct periods, it is well known the water inundates; at the bottom of
them are generally found a number of small stones and pebbles.  This
circumstance justifies the conclusion, that at some former period these
rocks formed the bed of a branch of the discharge of this lake, although
some of them are upwards of ten feet above the present level of the
water at its greatest height.  They are, indeed, to be seen along every
great river throughout this wide extended country.  The French river is
very irregular, both as to its breadth and form, and is so interspersed
with islands, that in the whole course of it the banks are seldom
visible.  Of its various channels, that which is generally followed by
the canoes is obstructed by the following Portages, viz., des Pins,
fifty-two paces; Feausille, thirty-six paces; Parisienne, one hundred
paces; Recolet, forty-five paces; and the Petite Feausille, twenty-five
paces.  In several parts there are guts or channels, where the water
flows with great velocity, which are not more than twice the breadth of
a canoe.  The distance to Lake Huron is estimated at twenty-five
leagues, which this river enters in the latitude 45. 53. North, that is,
at the point of land three or four miles within the lake.  There is
hardly a foot of soil to be seen from one end of the French river to the
other, its banks consisting of hills of entire rock.  The coast of the
lake is the same, but lower, backed at some distance by high lands.  The
course runs through numerous islands to the North of West to the river
Tessalon, computed to be about fifty leagues from the French river, and
which I found to be in latitude 46. 12. 21. North; and from thence
crossing, from island to island, the arm of the lake that receives the
water of Lake Superior (which continues the same course), the route
changes to the South of West ten leagues to the Detour, passing the end
of the island of St. Joseph, within six miles of the former place.  On
that island there has been a military establishment since the upper
posts were given up to the Americans in the year 1794; and is the
Westernmost military position which we have in this country.  It is a
place of no trade, and the greater part, if not the whole of the Indians
come here for no other purpose but to receive the presents which our
government annually allows them.  They are from the American territory
(except about thirty families, who are the inhabitants of the lake from
the French river, and of the Algonquin nation) and trade in their
peltries, as they used formerly to do at Michilimakinac, but principally
with British subjects.  The Americans pay them very little attention,
and tell them that they keep possession of their country by right of
conquest: that, as their brothers, they will be friends with them while
they deserve it; and that their traders will bring them every kind of
goods they require, which they may procure by their industry.


Our commanders treat them in a very different manner, and, under the
character of the representative of their father (which parental title
the natives give to his present Majesty, the common father of all his
people) present them with such things as the actual state of their
stores will allow.

How far this conduct, if continued, may, at a future exigency, keep
these people in our interest, if they are even worthy of it, is not an
object of my present consideration: at the same time, I cannot avoid
expressing my perfect conviction, that it would not be of the least
advantage to our present or future commerce in that country, or to the
people themselves; as it only tends to keep many of them in a state of
idleness about our military establishments.  The ammunition which they
receive is employed to kill game, in order to procure rum in return,
though their families may be in a starving condition: hence it is, that,
in consequence of slothful and dissolute lives, their numbers are in a
very perceptible state of diminution.

From the Detour to the island of Michilimakinac, at the conference of
the Lakes Huron and Michigan, in latitude 45. 54. North is about forty
miles.  To keep the direct course to Lake Superior, the North shore from
the river Tessalon should be followed; crossing to the North-West end of
St. Joseph, and passing between it and the adjacent islands, which makes
a distance of fifty miles to the fall of St. Mary, at the foot of which,
upon the South shore, there is a village, formerly a place of great
resort for the inhabitants of Lake Superior, and consequently of
considerable trade: it is now, however, dwindled to nothing, and reduced
to about thirty families, of the Algonquin, nation, who are one half of
the year starving, and the other half intoxicated, and ten or twelve
Canadians, who have been in the Indian country from an early period of
life, and intermarried with the natives, who have brought them families.
Their inducements to settle there, was the great quantity of white fish
that are to be taken in and about the falls, with very little trouble,
particularly in the autumn, when that fish leave the lakes, and comes to
the running and shallow waters to spawn.  These, when salt can be
procured, are pickled just as the frost sets in, and prove very good
food with potatoes, which they have of late cultivated with success.
The natives live chiefly on this fish, which they hang up by the tails,
and preserve throughout the winter, or at least as long as they last;
for whatever quantity they may have taken, it is never known that their
economy is such as to make them last through the winter, which renders
their situation very distressing; for if they had activity sufficient to
pursue the labours of the chase, the woods are become so barren of game
as to afford them no great prospect of relief.  In the spring of the
year, they and the other inhabitants make a quantity of sugar from the
maple tree, which they exchange with the traders for necessary articles,
or carry it to Michilimakinac, where they expect a better price.  One of
these traders was agent for the North-West Company, receiving, storing,
and forwarding such articles as come by the way of the lakes upon their
vessels: for it is to be observed, that a quantity of their goods are
sent by that route from Montreal in boats to Kingston, at the entrance
of Lake Ontario, and from thence in vessels to Niagara, then over land
ten miles to a water communication by boats, to Lake Erie, where they
are again received into vessels, and carried over that lake up the river
Detroit, through the lake and river Sinclair to Lake Huron, and from
thence to the Falls of St. Mary's, when they are again landed and
carried for a mile above the falls, and shipped over Lake Superior to
the Grande Portage.  This is found to be a less expensive method than by
canoes, but attended with more risk, and requiring more time, than one
short season of this country will admit; for the goods are always sent
from Montreal the preceding fall; and besides, the company get their
provisions from Detroit, as flour and Indian corn; as also considerable
supplies from Michilimakinac of maple sugar, tallow, gum, etc., etc.

For the purpose of conveying all these things, they have two vessels
upon the Lakes Erie and Huron, and one on Lake Superior, of from fifty
to seventy tons burden.  This being, therefore, the depot for
transports, the Montreal canoes, on their arrival, were forwarded over
Lake Superior, with only five men in each; the others were sent to
Michilimakinac for additional canoes, which were required to prosecute
the trade, and then taking a lading there, or at St. Mary's, and follow
the others.  At length they all arrive at the Grande Portage which is
one hundred and sixty leagues from St. Mary's, coastways, and situated
on a pleasant bay on the North side of the lake, in latitude 48. North,
and longitude 90. West from Greenwich, where the compass has not above
five degrees East variation.

At the entrance of the bay is an island which screens the harbour from
every wind except the South.  The shallowness of the water, however,
renders it necessary for the vessel to anchor near a mile from the
shore, where there is not more than fourteen feet water.  This lake
justifies the name that has been given to it; the Falls of St. Mary,
which is its Northern extremity, being in latitude 46. 31. North, and in
longitude 84.  West, where there is no variation of the compass
whatever, while its Southern extremity, at the river St. Louis, is in
latitude 46. 45. North, and longitude 92. 10. West: its greatest
breadth is one hundred and twenty miles, and its circumference,
including its various bays, is not less than one thousand two hundred
miles.  Along its North shore is the safest navigation, as it is a
continued mountainous embankment of rock, from three hundred to one
thousand five hundred feet in height.  There are numerous coves and
sandy bays to land, which are frequently sheltered by islands from the
swell of the lake.  This is particularly the case at the distance of one
hundred miles to the Eastward of the Grande Portage, and is called the
Pays Plat.

This seems to have been caused by some convulsion of nature, for many of
the islands display a composition of lava, intermixed with round stones
of the size of a pigeon's egg.  The surrounding rock is generally hard,
and of a dark blue-grey, though it frequently has the appearance of iron
and copper.  The South side of the lake, from Point Shagoimigo East, is
almost a continual straight line of sandy beach, interspersed with rocky
precipices of lime-stones, sometimes rising to a hundred feet in height,
without a bay.  The embankments from that point Westward are, in
general, of strong clay, mixed with stones, which renders the navigation
irksome and dangerous.  On the same side, at the river Tonnagan, is
found a quantity of virgin copper.  The Americans, soon after they got
possession of that country, sent an engineer thither; and I should not
be surprised to hear of their employing people to work the mine.
Indeed, it might be well worthy the attention of the British subjects to
work the mines on the North coast, though they are not supposed to be so
rich as those on the South.

Lake Superior is the largest and most magnificent body of fresh water in
the world: it is clear and pellucid, of great depth, and abounding in a
great variety of fish, which are the most excellent of their kind.
There are trouts of three kinds, weighing from five to fifty pounds,
sturgeon, pickerel, pike, red and white carp, black bass, herrings,
etc., etc., and the last, and best of all, the Ticamang, or white fish,
which weighs from four to sixteen pounds, and is of a superior quality
in these waters.

This lake may be denominated the grand reservoir of the River
St. Laurence, as no considerable rivers discharge themselves into it.
The principal ones are, the St. Louis, the Nipigon, the Pic, and the
Michipicoten.  Indeed, the extent of country from which any of them
flow, or take their course, in any direction, cannot admit of it, in
consequence of the ridge of land that separates them from the rivers
that empty themselves into Hudson's-Bay, the gulf of Mexico, and the
waters that fall in Lake Michigan, which afterward become a part of the
St. Laurence.

This vast collection of water is often covered with fog, particularly
when the wind is from the East, which, driving against the high barren
rocks on the North and West shore, dissolves in torrents of rain.  It is
very generally said, that the storms on this lake are denoted by a swell
on the preceding day; but this circumstance did not appear from my
observation to be a regular phenomenon, as the swells more regularly
subsided without any subsequent wind.

Along the surrounding rocks of this immense lake, evident marks appear
of the decrease of its water, by the lines observable along them.  The
space, however, between the highest and the lowest, is not so great as
in the smaller lakes, as it does not amount to more than six feet, the
former being very faint.

The inhabitants that are found along the coast of this water, are all of
the Algonquin nation, the whole of which do not exceed 150 families.[4]

These people live chiefly on fish; indeed, from what has been said of
the country, it cannot be expected to abound in animals, as it is
totally destitute of that shelter, which is so necessary to them.  The
rocks appear to have been over-run by fire, and the stinted timber which
once grew there, is frequently seen lying along the surface of them: but
it is not easy to be reconciled, that anything should grow where there
is so little appearance of soil.  Between the fallen trees there are
briars, with hurtleberry and gooseberry bushes, raspberries, etc., which
invite the bears in greater or lesser numbers, as they are a favourite
food of that animal: beyond these rocky banks are found a few moose and
fallow deer.  The waters alone are abundantly inhabited.

A very curious phenomenon was observed some years ago at the Grande
Portage, for which no obvious cause could be assigned.  The water
withdrew with great precipitation, leaving the ground dry that had never
before been visible, the fall being equal to four perpendicular feet,
and rushing back with great velocity above the common mark.  It
continued thus falling and rising for several hours, gradually
decreasing till it stopped at its usual height.  There is frequently an
irregular influx and deflux, which does not exceed ten inches, and is
attributed to the wind.

The bottom of the bay, which forms an amphitheatre, is cleared of wood
and inclosed; and on the left corner of it, beneath an hill, three or
four hundred feet in height, and crowned by others of a still greater
altitude, is the fort, picketed in with cedar pallisadoes, and inclosing
houses built with wood and covered with shingles.  They are calculated
for every convenience of trade, as well as to accommodate the
proprietors and clerks during their short residence there.  The north
men live under tents: but the more frugal pork-eater lodges beneath his
canoe.  The soil immediately bordering on the lake has not proved very
propitious, as nothing but potatoes have been found to answer the
trouble of cultivation.  This circumstance is probably owing to the cold
damp fogs of the lake, and the moisture of the ground from the springs
that issue from beneath the hills.  There are meadows in the vicinity
that yield abundance of hay for the cattle; but, as to agriculture, it
has not hitherto been an object of serious consideration.

I shall now leave these geographical notices, to give some further
account of the people from Montreal.--When they are arrived at the
Grande Portage, which is near nine miles over, each of them has to carry
eight packages of such goods and provisions as are necessary for the
interior country.  This is a labour which cattle cannot conveniently
perform in summer, as both horses and oxen were tried by the company
without success.  They are only useful for light, bulky articles; or for
transporting upon sledges, during the winter, whatever goods may remain
there, especially provision, of which it is usual to have a year's stock
on hand.

Having finished this toilsome part of their duty, if more goods are
necessary to be transported, they are allowed a Spanish dollar for each
package: and so inured are they to this kind of labour, that I have
known some of them set off with two packages of ninety pounds each, and
return with two others of the same weight, in the course of six hours,
being a distance of eighteen miles over hills and mountains.  This
necessary part of the business being over, if the season be early they
have some respite, but this depends upon the time the North men begin to
arrive from their winter quarters, which they commonly do early in July.
At this period, it is necessary to select from the pork-eaters, a number
of men, among whom are the recruits, or winterers, sufficient to man the
North canoes necessary to carry, to the river of the rainy lake, the
goods and provision requisite for the Athabasca country; as the people
of that country (owing to the shortness of the season and length of the
road, can come no further), are equipped there, and exchange ladings
with the people of whom we are speaking, and both return from whence
they came.  This voyage is performed in the course of a month, and they
are allowed proportionable wages for their services.

The North men being arrived at the Grande Portage, are regaled with
bread, pork, butter, liquor, and tobacco, and such as have not entered
into agreements during the winter, which is customary, are contracted
with, to return and perform the voyage for one, two, or three years;
their accounts are also settled, and such as choose to send any of their
earnings to Canada, receive drafts to transmit to their relations or
friends; and as soon as they can be got ready, which requires no more
than a fortnight, they are again despatched to their respective
departments.  It is, indeed, very creditable to them as servants, that
though they are sometimes assembled to the number of twelve hundred men,
indulging themselves in the free use of liquor, and quarrelling with
each other, they always show the greatest respect to their employers,
who are comparatively but few in number, and beyond the aid of any legal
power to enforce due obedience.  In short, a degree of subordination can
only be maintained by the good opinion these men entertain of their
employers, which has been uniformly the case, since the trade has been
formed and conducted on a regular system.

The people being despatched to their respective winter-quarters, the
agents from Montreal, assisted by their clerks, prepare to return there,
by getting the furs across the portage, and re-making them into packages
of one hundred pounds weight each, to send them to Montreal; where they
commonly arrive in the month of September.

The mode of living at the Grande Portage is as follows: The proprietors,
clerks, guides, and interpreters, mess together, to the number of
sometimes an hundred, at several tables, in one large hall, the
provision consisting of bread, salt pork, beef, hams, fish, and venison,
butter, peas, Indian corn, potatoes, tea, spirits, wine, etc., and
plenty of milk, for which purpose several milch cows are constantly
kept.  The mechanics have rations of such provision, but the canoe-men,
both from the North and Montreal, have no other allowance here, or in
the voyage, than Indian corn and melted fat.  The corn for this purpose
is prepared before it leaves Detroit, by boiling it in a strong alkali,
which takes off the outer husk: it is then well washed, and carefully
dried upon stages, when it is fit for use.  One quart of this is boiled
for two hours, over a moderate fire, in a gallon of water; to which,
when it has boiled a small time, are added two ounces of melted suet;
this causes the corn to split, and in the time mentioned makes a pretty
thick pudding.  If to this is added a little salt, (but not before it is
boiled, as it would interrupt the operation) it makes a wholesome,
palatable food, and easy of digestion.  This quantity is fully
sufficient for a man's subsistence during twenty-four hours; though it
is not sufficiently heartening to sustain the strength necessary for a
state of active labour.  The Americans call this dish hominy.[5]

The trade from the Grande Portage is, in some particulars, carried on in
a different manner with that from Montreal.  The canoes used in the
latter transport are now too large for the former, and some of about
half the size are procured from the natives, and are navigated by four,
five, or six men, according to the distance which they have to go.  They
carry a lading of about thirty-five packages, on an average; of these
twenty-three are for the purpose of trade, and the rest are employed for
provisions, stores, and baggage.  In each of these canoes are a foreman
and steersman; the one to be always on the look-out, and direct the
passage of the vessel, and the other to attend the helm.  They also
carry her, whenever that office is necessary.  The foreman has the
command, and the middle-men obey both; the latter earn only two-thirds
of the wages which are paid the two former. Independent of these, a
conductor or pilot is appointed to every four or six of these canoes,
whom they are all obliged to obey; and is, or at least is intended to
be, a person of superior experience, for which he is proportionably
paid.

In these canoes, thus loaded, they embark at the North side of the
portage, on the river Au Tourt, which is very inconsiderable; and after
about two miles of a Westerly course, is obstructed by the Partridge
Portage, six hundred paces long.  In the spring this makes a
considerable fall, when the water is high, over a perpendicular rock of
one hundred and twenty feet.  From, thence the river continues to be
shallow, and requires great care to prevent the bottom of the canoe from
being injured by sharp rocks, for a distance of three miles and an half
to the Priarie, or Meadow, when half the lading is taken out, and
carried by part of the crew, while two of them are conducting the canoe
among the rocks, with the remainder, to the Carreboeuf Portage, three
miles and a half more, when they unload, and come back two miles, and
embark what was left for the other hands to carry, which they also land
with the former; all of which is carried six hundred and eighty paces,
and the canoe led up against the rapid.  From hence the water is better
calculated to carry canoes, and leads by a winding course to the North
of West three miles to the Outard Portage, over which the canoe, and
every thing in her, is carried for two thousand four hundred paces.  At
the further end is a very high hill to descend, over which hangs a rock
upwards of seven hundred feet high.  Then succeeds the Outard Lake,
about six miles long, lying in a North-West course, and about two miles
wide in the broadest place.

After passing a very small rivulet, they come to the Elk Portage, over
which the canoe and lading are again carried one thousand one hundred
and twenty paces; when they enter the lake of the same name, which is an
handsome piece of water, running North-West about four miles, and not
more than one mile and an half wide.[6] They then land at the Portage de
Cerise, over which, and in the face of a considerable hill, the canoe
and cargo are again transported for one thousand and fifty paces.  This
is only separated from the second Portage de Cerise, by a mud-pond
(where there is plenty of water lilies), of a quarter of a mile in
length; and this is again separated by a similar pond, from the last
Portage de Cerise, which is four hundred and ten paces.  Here the same
operation is to be performed for three hundred and eighty paces.  They
next enter on the Mountain Lake, running North-West by West six miles
long, and about two miles in its greatest breadth.  In the centre of
this lake, and to the right is the Old Road, by which I never passed,
but an adequate notion may be formed of it from the road I am going to
describe, and which is universally preferred.  This is first, the small
new portage over which everything is carried for six hundred and
twenty-six paces, over hills and gullies; the whole is then embarked on
a narrow line of water, that meanders South-West about two miles and an
half.  It is necessary to unload here, for the length of the canoe, and
then proceed West half a mile, to the new Grande Portage, which is three
thousand one hundred paces in length, and over very rough ground, which
requires the utmost exertions of the men, and frequently lames them:
from hence they approach the Rose Lake, the portage of that name being
opposite to the junction of the road from the Mountain Lake.  They then
embark on the Rose Lake, about one mile from the East end of it, and
steer West by South, in an oblique course, across it two miles, then
North-West passing the Petite Peche to the Marten Portage three miles.
In this part of the lake the bottom is mud and slime, with about three
or four feet of water over it; and here I frequently struck a canoe pole
of twelve feet long, without meeting any other obstruction than if the
whole were water: it has, however, a peculiar suction or attractive
power, so that it is difficult to paddle a canoe over it.  There is a
small space along the South shore, where the water is deep, and this
effect is not felt.  In proportion to the distance from this part, the
suction becomes more powerful: I have, indeed, been told that loaded
canoes have been in danger of being swallowed up, and have only owed
their preservation to other canoes, which were lighter.  I have, myself,
found it very difficult to get away from this attractive power, with six
men, and great exertion, though we did not appear to be in any danger of
sinking.

Over against this is a very high, rocky ridge, on the South side, called
Marten Portage, which is but twenty paces long, and separated from the
Perche Portage, which is four hundred and eighty paces, by a mud pond,
covered with white lilies.  From hence the course is on the lake of the
same name, West-South-West three miles to the height of land, where the
waters of the Dove or Pigeon River terminate, and which is one of the
sources of the great St. Laurence in this direction.  Having carried the
canoe and lading over it, six hundred and seventy-nine paces, they
embark on the lake of Hauteur de Terre, which is in the shape of an
horseshoe.[7] It is entered near the curve, and left at the extremity of
the Western limb, through a very shallow channel, where the canoe passes
half loaded for thirty paces with the current, which conducts these
waters till they discharge themselves, through the succeeding lakes and
rivers, and disembogues itself, by the river Nelson, into Hudson's Bay.
The first of these is Lac de pierres a fusil, running West-South-West
seven miles long, and two wide, and making an angle at North-West one
mile more, becomes a river for half a mile, tumbling over a rock, and
forming a fall and portage, called the Escalier, of fifty-five paces;
but from hence it is neither lake or river, but possesses the character
of both, and runs between large rocks, which cause a current or rapid
for about two miles and an half, West-North-West, to the portage of the
Cheval du Bois. Here the canoe and contents are carried three hundred
and eighty paces, between rocks; and within a quarter of a mile is the
Portage des Gros Pins, which is six hundred and forty paces over a high
ridge. The opposite side of it is washed by a small lake three mile
round; and the course is through the East end or side of it, three
quarters of a mile North-East, where there is a rapid.  An irregular
meandering channel, between rocky banks, then succeeds, for seven miles
and an half, to the Maraboeuf Lake, which extends North four miles, and
is three-quarters of a mile wide, terminating by a rapid and decharge of
one hundred and eighty paces, the rock of Saginaga being in sight, which
causes a fall of about seven feet, and a portage of fifty-five paces.

Lake Saginaga takes its name from its numerous islands.  Its greatest
length from East to West is about fourteen miles, with very irregular
inlets, is nowhere more than three miles wide, and terminates at the
small portage of Le Roche, of forty-three paces.  From thence is a
rocky, stony passage of one mile, to Priarie Portage, which is very
improperly named, as there is no ground about it that answers to that
description, except a small spot at the embarking place at the West end:
to the East is an entire bog; and it is with great difficulty that the
lading can be landed upon stages, formed by driving piles into the mud,
and spreading branches of trees over them.  The portage rises on a stony
ridge, over which the canoe and cargo must be carried for six hundred
and eleven paces.  This is succeeded by an embarkation on a small bay,
where the bottom is the same as has been described in the West end of
Rose Lake, and it is with great difficulty that a laden canoe is worked
over it, but it does not comprehend more than a distance of two hundred
yards.  From hence the progress continues through irregular channels,
bounded by rocks, in a Westerly course for about five miles, to the
little Portage des Couteaux, of one hundred and sixty-five paces, and
the Lac des Couteaux, running about South-West by West twelve miles, and
from a quarter to two miles wide.  A deep bay runs East three miles from
the West end, where it is discharged by a rapid river, and after running
two miles West, it again becomes still water.  In this river are two
carrying-places, the one fifteen, and the other one hundred and ninety
paces.  From this to the Portage des Carpes is one mile North-West,
leaving a narrow lake on the East that runs parallel with the Lac des
Couteaux, half its length, where there is a carrying-place, which is
used when the water in the river last mentioned is too low.  The Portage
des Carpes is three hundred and ninety paces, from whence the water
spreads irregularly between rocks, five miles North-West and South-East
to the Portage of Lac Bois Blanc, which is one hundred and eighty paces.
Then follows the lake of that name, but I think improperly so called, as
the natives name it the Lac Passeau Minac Sagaigan, or lake of Dry
Berries.

Before the small-pox ravaged this country, and completed, what the
Nodowasis, in their warfare, had gone far to accomplish, the destruction
of its inhabitants, the population was very numerous: this was also a
favourite part, where they made their canoes, etc., the lake abounding
in fish, the country round it being plentifully supplied with various
kinds of game, and the rocky ridges, that form the boundaries of the
water, covered with a variety of berries.

When the French were in possession of this country, they had several
trading establishments on the islands and banks of this lake.  Since
that period, the few people remaining, who were of the Algonquin nation,
could hardly find subsistence; game having become so scarce, that they
depended principally for food upon fish and wild rice, which grows
spontaneously in these parts.

This lake is irregular in its form, and its utmost extent from East to
West is fifteen miles; a point of land, called Point au Pin, jutting
into it, divides it in two parts: it then makes a second angle at the
West end, to the lesser Portage de Bois Blanc, two hundred paces in
length.  This channel is not wide, and is intercepted by several rapids
in the course of a mile: it runs West-North West to the Portage des
Pins, over which the canoe and lading is again carried four hundred
paces.  From hence the channel is also intercepted by very dangerous
rapids, for two miles Westerly, to the point of Pointe du Bois, which is
two hundred and eighty paces.  Then succeeds the portage of La Croche,
one mile more, where the carrying-place is eighty paces, and is followed
by an embarkation on that lake, which takes its name from its figure.
It extends eighteen miles, in a meandering form, and in a westerly
direction; it is in general very narrow, and at about two-thirds of its
length becomes very contracted, with a strong current.

Within three miles of the last Portage is a remarkable rock, with a
smooth face, but split and cracked in different parts, which hang over
the water.  Into one of its horizontal chasms a great number of arrows
have been shot, which is said to have been done by a war party of the
Nadowasis or Sieux, who had done much mischief in this country, and left
these weapons as a warning to the Chebois or natives, that,
notwithstanding its lakes, rivers, and rocks, it was not inaccessible to
their enemies.

Lake Croche is terminated by the Portage de Rideau, four hundred paces
long, and derives its name from the appearance of the water, falling
over a rock of upwards of thirty feet.  Several rapids succeed, with
intervals of still water, for about three miles to the Flacon portage,
which is very difficult, is four hundred paces long, and leads to the
Lake of La Croix, so named from its shape.  It runs about North-West
eighteen miles to the Beaver Dam, and then sinks into a deep bay nearly
East.  The course to the Portage is West by North for sixteen miles more
from the Beaver Dam, and into the East bay is a road which was
frequented by the French, and followed through lakes and rivers until
they came to Lake Superior by the river Caministiquia, thirty miles East
of the Grande Portage.

Portage la Croix is six hundred paces long: to the next portage is a
quarter of a mile, and its length is forty paces; the river winding four
miles to Vermillion Lake, which runs six or seven miles
North-North-West, and by a narrow strait communicates with Lake
Namaycan, which takes its name from a particular place at the foot of a
fall, where the natives spear sturgeon: Its course is about
North-North-West and South-South-East, with a bay running East, that
gives it the form of a triangle: its length is about sixteen miles to
the Nouvelle Portage.

The discharge of the lake is from a bay on the left, and the portage one
hundred eighty paces, to which succeeds a very small river, from whence
there is but a short distance to the next Nouvelle Portage, three
hundred and twenty paces long.  It is then necessary to embark on a
swamp, or overflowed country, where wild rice grows in great abundance.
There is a channel or small river in the centre of this swamp, which is
kept with difficulty, and runs South and North one mile and a half.
With deepening water, the course continues North-North-West one mile to
the Chaudiere Portage, which is caused by the discharge of the waters
running on the left of the road from Lake Namaycan, which used to be the
common route, but that which I have described is the safest as well as
shortest.  From hence there is some current though the water is wide
spread, and its course about North by West three miles and an half to
the Lac de la Pluie, which lies nearly East and West; from thence about
fifteen miles is a narrow strait that divides the lake into two unequal
parts, from whence to its discharge is a distance of twenty-four miles.
There is a deep bay running North-West on the right, that is not
included, and is remarkable for furnishing the natives with a kind of
soft, red stone, of which they make their pipes; it also affords an
excellent fishery both in the summer and winter; and from it is an easy,
safe, and short road to the Lac du Bois, (which I shall mention
presently) for the Indians to pass in their small canoes, through a
small lake and on a small river, whose banks furnish abundance of wild
rice.  The discharge of this lake is called Lac de la Pluie River, at
whose entrance there is a rapid, below which is a fine bay, where there
had been an extensive picketed fort and building when possessed by the
French: the site of it is at present a beautiful meadow, surrounded with
groves of oaks.  From hence there is a strong current for two miles,
where the water falls over a rock twenty feet, and, from the consequent
turbulence of the water, the carrying-place, which is three hundred and
twenty paces long, derives the name of Chaudiere.  Two miles onward is
the present trading establishment, situated on an high bank on the North
side of the river, in 48. 37. North latitude.

Here the people from Montreal come to meet those who arrive from the
Athabasca country, as has been already described, and exchange lading
with them.  This is also the residence of the first chief, or Sachem, of
all the Algonquin tribes, inhabiting the different parts of this
country.  He is by distinction called Nectam, which implies personal
preeminence.  Here also the elders meet in council to treat of peace or
war.

This is one of the finest rivers in the North-West, and runs a course
West and East one hundred and twenty computed miles; but in taking its
course and distance minutely I make it only eighty.  Its banks are
covered with a rich soil, particularly to the North, which, in many
parts, are clothed with fine open groves of oak, with the maple, the
pine, and the cedar.  The Southern bank is not so elevated, and displays
the maple, the white birch, and the cedar, with the spruce, the alder,
and various underwood.  Its waters abound in fish, particularly the
sturgeon, which the natives both spear and take with drag-nets.  But
notwithstanding the promise of this soil, the Indians do not attend to
its cultivation, though they are not ignorant of the common process, and
are fond of the Indian corn, when they can get it from us.

Though the soil at the fort is a stiff clay, there is a garden, which,
unassisted as it is by manure, or any particular attention, is tolerably
productive.

We now proceed to mention the Lac du Bois, into which this river
discharges itself in latitude 49. North, and was formerly famous for the
richness of its banks and waters, which abounded with whatever was
necessary to a savage life.  The French had several settlements in and
about it; but it might be almost concluded, that some fatal circumstance
had destroyed the game, as war and the small-pox had diminished the
inhabitants, it having been very unproductive in animals since the
British subjects have been engaged in travelling through it; though it
now appears to be recovering its pristine state.  The few Indians who
inhabit it might live very comfortably, if they were not so immoderately
fond of spirituous liquors.

This lake is also rendered remarkable, in consequence of the Americans
having named it as the spot, from which a line of boundary, between them
and British America, was to run West, until it struck the Mississippi:
which, however, can never happen, as the North-West part of the Lac du
Bois is in latitude 49. 37. North, and longitude 94.31.  West, and the
Northernmost branch of the source of the Mississippi is in latitude
47. 38. North, and longitude 95. 6. West, ascertained by Mr. Thomson,
astronomer to the North-West Company, who was sent expressly for that
purpose in the spring of 1798.  He, in the same year, determined the
Northern bend of the Mississoury to be in latitude 47. 32. North, and
longitude 101. 25. West; and, according to the Indian accounts, it runs
to the south of West, so that if the Mississoury were even to be
considered as the Mississippi, no Western line could strike it.

It does not appear to me to be clearly determined what course the Line
is to take, or from what part of Lake Superior it strikes through the
country to the Lac du Bois: were it to follow the principal waters to
their source, it ought to keep through Lake Superior to the River
St. Louis, and follow that river to its source; close to which is the
source of the waters falling into the river of Lac la Pluie, which is a
common route of the Indians to the Lac du Bois; the St. Louis passes
within a short distance of a branch of the Mississippi, where it becomes
navigable for canoes.  This will appear more evident from consulting the
map: and if the navigation of the Mississippi is considered as of any
consequence by this country, from that part of the globe, such is the
nearest way to get at it.

But to return to our narrative.  The Lac du Bois is, as far as I could
learn, nearly round, and the canoe course through the centre of it among
a cluster of islands, some of which are so extensive that they may be
taken for the mainland.  The reduced course would be nearly South and
North.  But following the navigating course, I make the distance
seventy-five miles, though in a direct line it would fall very short of
that length.  At about two-thirds of it there is a small carrying-place,
when the water is low.  The carrying-place out of the Lake is on the
island and named Portage du Rat, in latitude 49. 37. North, and
longitude 94. 15. West; it is about fifty paces long.  The lake
discharges itself at both ends of this island, and forms the River
Winipic, which is a large body of water, interspersed with numerous
islands, causing various channels and interruptions of portages and
rapids.  In some parts it has the appearance of lakes, with steady
currents; I estimate its winding course to the Dalles eight miles; to
the Grand Decharge twenty-five miles and an half, which is a long
carrying-place for the goods; from thence to the little Decharge one
mile and an half; to the Terre Jaune Portage two miles and an half; then
to its galet seventy yards; two miles and three quarters to the Terre
Blanche, near which is a fall of from four to five feet; three miles and
an half to Portage de L'Isle, where there is a trading-post, and, about
eleven miles, on the north shore, a trading establishment, which is the
road in boats, to Albany River, and from thence to Hudson's-Bay.  There
is also a communication with Lake Superior, through what is called the
Nipigan country, which enters that Lake about thirty-five leagues East
of the Grande Portage.  In short, the country is so broken by lakes and
rivers, that people may find their way in canoes in any direction they
please.  It is now four miles to Portage de L'Isle, which is but short,
though several canoes have been lost in attempting to run the rapid.
From thence it is twenty-six miles to Jacob's Falls, which are about
fifteen feet high; and six miles and an half to the woody point; forty
yards from which is another Portage.  They both form an high fall, but
not perpendicular.  From thence to another galet, or rock Portage, is
about two miles, which is one continual rapid and cascade; and about two
miles further is the Chute a l'Esclave, which is upward of thirty feet.
The Portage is long, through a point covered with wood: it is six miles
and an half more to the barrier, and ten miles to the Grand Rapid.  From
thence, on the North side, is a safe road, when the waters are high,
through small rivers and lakes, to the Lake du Bonnet, called the
Pinnawas, from the man who discovered it: to the White River, so called
from its being, for a considerable length, a succession of falls and
cataracts, is twelve miles.  Here are seven portages, in so short a
space, that the whole of them are discernible at the same moment.  From
this to Lake du Bonnet is fifteen miles more, and four miles across it
to the rapid.  Here the Pinnawas Road joins, and from thence it is two
miles to the Galet du Lac du Bonnet; from this to the Galet du Bonnet
one mile and an half; thence to the Portage of the same name is three
miles.  This portage is near half a league in length, and derives its
name from the custom the Indians have of crowning stones, laid in a
circle on the highest rock in the portage, with wreaths of herbage and
branches.  There have been examples of men taking seven packages of
ninety pounds each, at one end of the portage, and putting them down at
the other without stopping.

To this another small portage immediately succeeds, over a rock
producing a fall.  From thence to the fall of Terre Blanche is two miles
and an half; to the first portage Des Eaux qui Remuent is three miles;
to the next, of the same name, is but a few yards distant; to the third
and last, which is a Decharge, is three miles and an half; and from this
to the last Portage of the river, one mile and an half; and to the
establishment, or provision house, is two miles and an half.  Here also
the French had their principal inland depot, and got their canoes made.
It is here that the present traders, going to great distances, and where
provision is difficult to procure, receive a supply to carry them to the
Rainy Lake, or Lake Superior.  From the establishment to the entrance of
Lake Winipic, is four miles and an half, latitude 50. 37. North.

The country, soil, produce, and climate, from Lake Superior to this
place, bear a general resemblance, with a predominance of rock and
water: the former is of the granite kind.  Where there is any soil it is
well covered with wood, such as oak, elm, ash of different kinds, maple
of two kinds, pines of various descriptions, among which are what I call
the cypress, with the hickory, ironwood, laird, poplar, cedar, black and
white birch, etc., etc.  Vast quantities of wild rice are seen
throughout the country, which the natives collect in the month of August
for their winter stores.[8] To the North of fifty degrees it is hardly
known, or at least does not come to maturity.

Lake Winipic is the great reservoir of several large rivers, and
discharges itself by the River Nelson into Hudson's Bay.  The first in
rotation, next to that I have just described, is the Assiniboin, or Red
River, which at the distance of forty miles coastwise, disembogues on
the south west side of the Lake Winipic.  It alternately receives those
two denominations from its dividing, at the distance of about thirty
miles from the lake, into two large branches; The Eastern branch, called
the Red River, runs in a Southern direction to near the head waters of
the Mississippi.  On this are two trading establishments.  The country
on either side is but partially supplied with wood, and consists of
plains covered with herds of the buffalo and elk, especially on the
Western side.  On the Eastern side are lakes and rivers, and the whole
country is well wooded, level, abounding in beaver, bears, moose-deer,
fallow deer, etc., etc.  The natives, who are of the Algonquin tribe,
are not very numerous, and are considered as the natives of Lake
Superior.  This country being near the Mississippi, is also inhabited by
the Nadowasis, who are the natural enemies of the former; the head of
the water being the war-line, they are in a continual state of
hostility; and though the Algonquins are equally brave, the others
generally out-number them; it is very probable, therefore, that if the
latter continue to venture out of the woods, which form their only
protection, they will soon be extirpated.  There is not, perhaps, a
finer country in the world for the residence of uncivilised man, than
that which occupies the space between this river and Lake Superior.  It
abounds in every thing necessary to the wants and comforts of such a
people.  Fish, venison, and fowl, with wild rice, are in great plenty;
while, at the same time, their subsistence requires that bodily exercise
so necessary to health and vigour.

This great extent of country was formerly very populous, but from the
information I received, the aggregate of its inhabitants does not exceed
three hundred warriors; and, among the few whom I saw, it appeared to me
that the widows were more numerous than the men.  The raccoon is a
native of this country, but is seldom found to the Northward of it.

The other branch is called after the tribe of the Nadowasis, who here go
by the name of Assiniboins, and are the principal inhabitants of it.  It
runs from the North-North-West, and in the latitude of 51. 15. West, and
longitude 103. 20., rising in the same mountains as the river Dauphin,
of which I shall speak in due order.  They must have separated from
their nation at a time beyond our knowledge, and live in peace with the
Algonquins and Knisteneaux.

The country between this and the Red River, is almost a continual plain
to the Mississoury.  The soil is sand and gravel, with a slight
intermixture of earth, and produces a short grass.  Trees are very rare;
nor are there on the banks of the river sufficient, except in particular
spots, to build houses and supply fire-wood for the trading
establishments, of which there are four principal ones.  Both these
rivers are navigable for canoes to their source, without a fall; though
in some parts there are rapids, caused by occasional beds of limestone,
and gravel; but in general they have a sandy bottom.

The Assiniboins, and some of the Fall or Big-bellied Indians, are the
principal inhabitants of this country, and border on the river,
occupying the centre part of it; that next Lake Winipic, and about its
source, being the station of the Algonquins and Knisteneaux, who have
chosen it in preference to their own country.  They do not exceed five
hundred families.  They are not beaver hunters, which accounts for their
allowing the division just mentioned, as the lower and upper parts of
this river have those animals, which are not found in the intermediate
district.  They confine themselves to hunting the buffalo, and trapping
wolves, which cover the country.  What they do not want of the former
for raiment and food, they sometimes make into pemmican, or pounded
meat, while they melt the fat, and prepare the skins in their hair, for
winter.  The wolves they never eat, but produce a tallow from their fat,
and prepare their skins; all which they bring to exchange for arms and
ammunition, rum, tobacco, knives, and various baubles, with those who go
to traffic in their country.

The Algonquins, and the Knisteneaux, on the contrary, attend to the
fur-hunting, so that they acquire the additional articles of cloth,
blankets, etc., but their passion for rum often puts it out of their
power to supply themselves with real necessaries.

The next river of magnitude is the river Dauphin, which empties itself
at the head of St. Martin's Bay, on the West side of the Lake Winipic,
latitude nearly 52. 15. North, taking its source in the same mountains
as the last-mentioned river, as well as the Swan and Red-Deer rivers,
the latter passing through the lake of the same name, as well as the
former, and both continuing their course through the Manitoba Lake,
which, from thence, runs parallel with Lake Winipic, to within nine
miles of the Red River, and by what is called the river Dauphin,
disembogues its waters, as already described, into that lake.  These
rivers are very rapid, and interrupted by falls, etc., the bed being
generally rocky.  All this country, to the South branch of the
Saskatchiwine, abounds in beaver, moose-deer, fallow-deer, elks, bears,
buffaloes, etc.  The soil is good, and wherever any attempts have been
made to raise the esculent plants, etc., it has been found productive.

On these waters are three principal forts for trade.  Fort Dauphin,
which was established by the French before the conquest.  Red-Deer
River, and Swan-River Forts, with occasional detached posts from these.
The inhabitants are the Knisteneaux, from the North of Lake Winipic; and
Algonquins from the country between the Red River and Lake Superior; and
some from the Rainy Lake: but as they are not fixed inhabitants, their
number cannot be determined: they do not, however, at any time exceed
two hundred warriors.  In general they are good hunters.  There is no
other considerable river except the Saskatchiwine, which I shall mention
presently, that empties itself into the Lake Winipic.

Those on the North side are inconsiderable, owing to the comparative
vicinity of the high land that separates the waters coming this way,
from those discharging into Hudson's Bay.  The course of the lake is
about West-North-West and South-South-East, and the East end of it is in
50. 37. North.  It contracts at about a quarter of its length to a
strait, in latitude 51. 45., and is no more than two miles broad, where
the South shore is gained through islands, and crossing various bays to
the discharge of the Saskatchiwine, in latitude 53. 15.  This lake, in
common with those of this country, is bounded on the North with banks of
black and grey rock, and on the South by a low level country,
occasionally interrupted with a ridge or bank of lime-stones, lying in
stratas, and rising to the perpendicular height of from twenty to forty
feet; these are covered with a small quantity of earth, forming a level
surface, which bears timber, but of a moderate growth, and declines to a
swamp.  Where the banks are low, it is evident in many places that the
waters are withdrawn, and never rise to those heights which were
formerly washed by them.

The inhabitants who are found along this lake are of the Knisteneaux and
Algonquin tribes, and but few in number, though game is not scarce, and
there is fish in great abundance.  The black bass is found there, and no
further West; and beyond it no maple trees are seen, either hard or
soft.

On entering the Saskatchiwine, in the course of a few miles, the great
rapid interrupts the passage.  It is about three miles long.  Through
the greatest part of it the canoe is towed, half or full laden,
according to the state of the waters: the canoe and its contents are
then carried one thousand one hundred paces.  The channel here is near a
mile wide, the waters tumbling over ridges of rocks that traverse the
river.  The South bank is very high, rising upwards of fifty feet, of
the same rock as seen on the South side of the Lake Winipic, and the
North is not more than a third of that height.  There is an excellent
sturgeon-fishery at the foot of this cascade, and vast numbers of
pelicans, cormorants, etc., frequent it, where they watch to seize the
fish that may be killed or disabled by the force of the waters.

About two miles from this Portage the navigation is again interrupted by
the Portage of the Roche Rouge, which is an hundred yards long; and a
mile and an half from thence the river is barred by a range of islands,
forming rapids between them; and through these it is the same distance
to the rapid of Lake Travers, which is four miles right across, and
eight miles in length.  Then succeeds the Grande Decharge, and several
rapids, for four miles to the Cedar Lake, which is entered through a
small channel on the left, formed by an island, as going round it would
occasion loss of time.  In this distance banks of rocks (such as have
already been described) appear at intervals on, either side; the rest of
the country is low.  This is the case along the South bank of the lake
and the islands, while the North side, which is very uncommon, is level
throughout.  This lake runs first West four miles, then as much more
West-South-West, across a deep bay on the right, then six miles to the
Point de Lievre, and across another bay again on the right; then
North-West eight miles, across a still deeper hay on the right; and
seven miles parallel with the North coast, North-North-West through
islands, five miles more to Fort Bourbon,[9] situated on a small island,
dividing this from Mud Lake.

The Cedar Lake is from four to twelve miles wide, exclusive, of the
bays.  Its banks are covered with wood, and abound in game, and its
waters produce plenty of fish, particularly the sturgeon.  The Mud Lake,
and the neighbourhood of the Fort Bourbon, abound with geese, ducks,
swans, etc., and was formerly remarkable for a vast number of martens,
of which it cannot now boast but a very small proportion.

The Mud Lake must have formerly been a part of the Cedar Lake, but the
immense quantity of earth and sand, brought down by the Saskatchiwine,
has filled up this part of it for a circumference whose diameter is at
least fifteen or twenty miles: part of which space is still covered with
a few feet of water, but the greatest proportion is shaded with large
trees, such as the liard, the swamp-ash, and the willow.  This land
consists of many islands, which consequently form various channels,
several of which are occasionally dry, and bearing young wood.  It is,
indeed, more than probable that this river will, in the course of time,
convert the whole of the Cedar Lake into a forest.  To the North-West
the cedar is not to be found.

From this lake the Saskatchiwine may be considered as navigable to near
its source in the rocky mountains, for canoes, and without a
carrying-place, making a great bend to Cumberland House, on Sturgeon
Lake.  From the confluence of its North and South branches its course is
Westerly; spreading itself, it receives several tributary streams, and
encompasses a large tract of country, which is level, particularly along
the South branch, but is little known.  Beaver, and other animals, whose
furs are valuable, are amongst the inhabitants of the North-West branch,
and the plains are covered with buffaloes, wolves, and small foxes;
particularly about the South branch, which, however, has of late claimed
some attention, as it is now understood, that where the plains terminate
towards the rocky mountain, there is a space of hilly country clothed
with wood, and inhabited also by animals of the fur kind.  This has been
actually determined to be the case towards the head of the North branch,
where the trade has been carried to about the latitude 54. North, and
longitude 114. 30. West.  The bed and banks of the latter, in some few
places, discover a stratum of free-stone; but, in general, they are
composed of earth and sand.  The plains are sand and gravel, covered
with fine grass, and mixed with a small quantity of vegetable earth,
This is particularly observable along the North branch, the West side of
which is covered with wood.

There are on this river five principal factories for the convenience of
trade with the natives.  Nepawi House, South-branch House, Fort-George
House, Fort-Augustus House, and Upper Establishment.  There have been
many others, which, from various causes, have been changed for these,
while there are occasionally others depending on each of them.

The inhabitants, from the information I could obtain, are as follow:

At Nepawi and South-Branch House, about thirty tents of Knisteneaux, or
ninety warriors; and sixty tents of Stone Indians, or Assiniboins, who
are their neighbours, and are equal to two hundred men: their hunting
ground extends upwards to about the Eagle Hills.  Next to them are those
who trade at Forts George and Augustus, and are about eighty tents or
upwards of Knisteneaux: on either side of the river, their number may be
two hundred.  In the same country are one hundred and forty tents of
Stone Indians: not quite half of them inhabit the West woody country;
the others never leave the plains, and their numbers cannot be less than
four hundred and fifty men.  At the Southern Head-waters of the
North-branch dwells a tribe called Sarsees, consisting of about
thirty-five tents, or one hundred and twenty men.  Opposite to those
Eastward, on the head-waters of the South Branch, are the Picaneaux, to
the number of from twelve to fifteen hundred men.  Next to them, on the
same water, are the Blood-Indians, of the same nation as the last, to
the number of about fifty tents, or two hundred and fifty men.  From
them downwards extend the Black-Feet Indians, of the same nation as the
two last tribes: their number may be eight hundred men.  Next to them,
and who extend to the confluence of the South and North branch, are the
Fall, or Big-bellied Indians, who may amount to about six hundred
warriors.

Of all these different tribes, those who inhabit the broken country on
the North-West side, and the source of the North branch, are
beaver-hunters; the others deal in provisions, wolf, buffalo, and fox
skins; and many people on the South branch do not trouble themselves to
come near the trading establishments.  Those who do, choose such
establishments as are next to their country.  The Stone-Indians here,
are the same people as the Stone-Indians, or Assiniboins, who inhabit
the river of that name already described, and both are detached tribes
from the Nadowasis, who inhabit the Western side of the Mississippi, and
lower part of the Missisoury.  The Fall, or Big-bellied Indians, are
from the South-Eastward also, and of a people who inhabit the plains
from the North bend of the last mentioned river, latitude 47.
32. North, longitude 101. 25. West, to the South bend of the Assiniboin
River, to the number of seven hundred men.  Some of them occasionally
come to the latter river to exchange dressed buffalo robes and bad
wolf-skins for articles of no great value.

The Picaneaux, Black-Feet, and Blood-Indians, are a distinct people,
speak a language of their own, and, I have reason to think, are
travelling North-West, as well as the others just mentioned: nor have I
heard of any Indians with whose language that which they speak has any
affinity.--They are the people who deal in horses, and take them upon
the war-parties towards Mexico; from which, it is evident, that the
country to the South-East of them consists of plains, as those animals
could not well be conducted through an hilly and woody country,
intersected by waters.

The Sarsees, who are but few in number, appear from their language, to
come on the contrary from the North-West, and are of the same people as
the Rocky-Mountain Indians described in my second journal, who are a
tribe of the Chepewyans; and, as for the Knisteneaux, there is no
question of their having been, and continuing to be, invaders of this
country, from the Eastward.  Formerly, they struck terror into all the
other tribes whom they met; but now they have lost the respect that was
paid them; as those whom they formerly considered as barbarians are now
their allies, and consequently become better acquainted with them, and
have acquired the use of fire-arms.  The former are still proud without
power, and affect to consider the others as their inferiors: those
consequently are extremely jealous of them, and, depending upon their
own superiority in numbers, will not submit tamely to their insults; so
that the consequences often prove fatal, and the Knisteneaux are thereby
decreasing both in power and number; spirituous liquors also tend to
their diminution, as they are instigated thereby to engage in quarrels
which frequently have the most disastrous termination among themselves.

The Stone-Indians must not be considered in the same point of view
respecting the Knisteneaux, for they have been generally obliged, from
various causes, to court their alliance.  They, however, are not without
their disagreements, and it is sometimes very difficult to compose their
differences.  These quarrels occasionally take place with the traders,
and sometimes have a tragical conclusion.  They generally originate in
consequence of stealing women and horses: they have great numbers of the
latter throughout their plains, which are brought, as has been observed,
from the Spanish settlements in Mexico; and many of them have been seen
even in the back parts of this country, branded with the initials of
their original owners' names.  Those horses are distinctly employed as
beasts of burden, and to chase the buffalo.  The former are not
considered as being of much value, as they may be purchased for a gun,
which costs no more than twenty-one shillings in Great Britain.  Many of
the hunters cannot be purchased with ten, the comparative value of which
exceeds the property of any native.

Of these useful animals no care whatever is taken, as when they are no
longer employed, they are turned loose winter and summer to provide for
themselves.  Here, it is to be observed, that the country, in general,
on the West and North side of this great river, is broken by the lakes
and rivers with small intervening plains, where the soil is good, and
the grass grows to some length.  To these the male buffaloes resort for
the winter, and if it be very severe, the females also are obliged to
leave the plains.

But to return to the route by which the progress West and North is made
through this continent.

We leave the Saskatchiwine[10] by entering the river which forms the
discharge of the Sturgeon Lake, on whose East bank is situated
Cumberland house, in latitude 53. 56. North, longitude 102. 15.  The
distance between the entrance and Cumberland house is estimated at
twenty miles.

It is very evident that the mud which is carried down by the
Saskatchiwine River, has formed the land that lies between it and the
lake, for the distance of upwards of twenty miles in the line of the
river, which is inundated during one half of the summer, though covered
with wood.  This lake forms an irregular horse-shoe, one side of which
runs to the North-West, and bears the name of Pine-Island Lake, and the
other, known by the name already mentioned, runs to the East of North,
and is the largest: its length is about twenty-seven miles, and its
greatest breadth about six miles.  The North side of the latter is the
same kind of rock as that described in Lake Winipic, on the West shore.
In latitude 54. 16. North, the Sturgeon-Weir River discharges itself
into this lake, and its bed appears to be of the same kind of rock, and
is almost a continual rapid.  Its direct course is about West by North,
and with its windings, is about thirty miles.  It takes its waters into
the Beaver Lake the South-West side of which consists of the same rock
lying in thin stratas: the route then proceeds from island to island for
about twelve miles, and along the North shore, for four miles more, the
whole being a North-West course to the entrance of a river, in latitude
54. 32. North.  The lake, for this distance, is about four or five miles
wide, and abounds with fish common to the country.  The part of it upon
the right of that which has been described, appears more considerable.
The islands are rocky, and the lake itself surrounded by rocks.  The
communication from hence to the Bouleau Lake, alternately narrows into
rivers and spreads into small lakes.  The interruptions are, the Pente
Portage, which is succeeded by the Grand Rapid, where there is a
Decharge, the Carp Portage, the Bouleau Portage in latitude
54. 50. North, including a distance, together with the windings, of
thirty-four miles, in a Westerly direction.  The Lake de Bouleau then
follows.  This lake might with greater propriety be denominated a canal,
as it is not more than a mile in breadth.  Its course is rather to the
East of North for twelve miles to Portage de L'Isle.  From thence there
is still water to Portage d'Epinettes, except an adjoining rapid.  The
distance is not more than four miles Westerly.  After crossing this
Portage, it is not more than two miles to Lake Miron, which is in
latitude 55. 7. North.  Its length is about twelve miles, and its
breadth irregular, from two to ten miles.  It is only separated from
Lake du Chitique, or Pelican Lake, by a short, narrow, and small strait.
That lake is not more than seven miles long, and its course about
North-West.  The Lake des Bois then succeeds, the passage to which is
through small lakes, separated by falls and rapids.  The first is a
Decharge: then follow the three galets, in immediate succession.  From
hence Lake des Bois runs about twenty-one miles.  Its course is
South-South-East, and North-North-West, and is full of islands.  The
passage continues through an intricate, narrow, winding, and shallow
channel for eight miles.  The interruptions in this distance are
frequent, but depend much on the state of the waters.  Having passed
them, it is necessary to cross the Portage de Traite, or, as it is
called by the Indians, Athiquisipichigan Ouinigam, or the Portage of the
Stretched Frog Skin, to the Missinipi.  The waters already described
discharge themselves into Lake Winipic, and augment those of the river
Nelson.  These which we are now entering are called the Missinipi, or
great Churchill River.

All the country to the South and East of this, within the line of the
progress that has been described, is interspersed by lakes, hills, and
rivers, and is full or animals, of the fur-kind, as well as the
moose-deer.  Its inhabitants are the Knisteneaux Indians, who are called
by the servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, at York, their home-guards.

The traders from Canada succeeded for several years in getting the
largest proportion of their furs, till the year 1793, when the servants
of that company thought proper to send people amongst them, (and why
they did not do it before is best known to themselves), for the purpose
of trade, and securing their credits, which the Indians were apt to
forget.  From the short distance they had to come, and the quantity of
goods they supplied, the trade has, in a great measure, reverted to
them, as the merchants from Canada could not meet them upon equal terms.
What added to the loss of the latter, was the murder of one of their
traders by the Indians, about this period.  Of these people not above
eighty men have been known to the traders from Canada, but they consist
of a much greater number.

The Portage de Traite, as has been already hinted, received its name
from Mr. Joseph Frobisher, who penetrated into this part of the country
from Canada, as early as the years 1774 and 1775, where he met with the
Indians in the spring, on their way to Churchill, according to annual
custom, with their canoes full of valuable furs.  They traded with him
for as many of them as his canoes could carry, and in consequence of
this transaction, the Portage received and has since retained its
present appellation.  He also denominated these waters the English
River.  The Missinipi is the name which it received from the
Knisteneaux, when they first came to this country, and either destroyed
or drove back the natives, whom they held in great contempt, on many
accounts, but particularly for their ignorance in hunting the beaver, as
well as in preparing, stretching, and drying the skins of those animals.
And as a sign of their derision, they stretched the skin of a frog, and
hung it up at the Portage.  This was, at that time, the utmost extent of
their conquest or war-faring progress West, and is in latitude 55.
25. North, and longitude 103. 45. West.  The river here, which bears the
appearance of a lake, takes its name from the Portage, and is full of
islands.  It runs from East to West about sixteen miles, and is from
four to five miles broad.  Then succeed falls and cascades which form
what is called the grand rapid.  From thence there is a succession of
small lakes and rivers, interrupted by rapids and falls, viz., the
Portage de Bareel, the Portage de L'Isle, and that of the Rapid River.
The course is twenty miles from East-South-East to North-North-West.
The Rapid-River Lake then runs West five miles, and is of an oval form.
The rapid river is the discharge of Lake la Ronge, where there has been
an establishment for trade from the year 1782.  Since the small-pox
ravaged these parts, there have been but few inhabitants; these are of
the Knisteneaux tribe, and do not exceed thirty men.  The direct
navigation continues to be through rivers and canals, interrupted by
rapids; and the distance to the first Decharge is four miles, in a
Westerly direction.  Then follows Lake de la Montagne, which runs
South-South-West three miles and an half, then North six miles, through
narrow channels, formed by islands, and continues North-North-West five
miles, to the portage of the same name, which is no sooner crossed, than
another appears in sight, leading to the Otter Lake, from whence it is
nine miles Westerly to the Otter Portage, in latitude 55. 39.  Between
this and the Portage du Diable, are several rapids, and the distance
three miles and an half.  Then succeeds the lake of the same name,
running from South-East to North-West, five miles, and West four miles
and an half.

There is then a succession of small lakes, rapids, and falls, producing
the Portage des Ecors, Portage du Galet, and Portage des Morts, the
whole comprehending a distance of six miles, to the lake of the latter
name.  On the left side is a point covered with human bones, the relics
of the small-pox; which circumstance gave the Portage and the lake this
melancholy denomination.  Its course is South-West fifteen miles, while
its breadth does not exceed three miles.  From thence a rapid river
leads to Portage de Hallier, which is followed by Lake de Isle d'Ours:
it is, however, improperly called a lake, as it contains frequent
impediments amongst its islands, from rapids.  There is a very dangerous
one about the centre of it, which is named the Rapid qui ne parle point,
or that never speaks, from its silent whirlpool-motion.  In some of the
whirlpools the suction is so powerful, that they are carefully avoided.
At some distance from the silent rapid is a narrow strait, where the
Indians have painted red figures on the face of a rock, and where it was
their custom formerly to make an offering of some of the articles which
they had with them, in their way to and from Churchill.  The course of
this lake, which is very meandering, may be estimated at thirty-eight
miles, and is terminated by the Portage du Canot Tourner, from the
danger to which those are subject who venture to run this rapid.  From
thence a river of one mile and an half North-West course leads to the
Portage de Bouleau, and in about half a mile to Portage des Epingles, so
called from the sharpness of its stones.  Then follows the Lake des
Souris, the direction across which is amongst islands, North-West by
West six miles.  In this traverse is an island, which is remarkable for
a very large stone, in the form of a bear, on which the natives have
painted the head and snout of that animal; and here they also were
formerly accustomed to offer sacrifices.  This lake is separated only by
a narrow strait from the Lake du Serpent, which runs North-North-West
seven miles, to a narrow channel, that connects it with another lake,
bearing the same name, and running the same course for eleven miles,
when the rapid of the same denomination is entered on the West side of
the lake.  It is to be remarked here, that for about three or four miles
on the North-West side of this lake, there is an high bank of clay and
sand, clothed with cypress trees, a circumstance which is not observable
on any lakes hitherto mentioned, as they are bounded, particularly on
the North, by black and grey rocks.  It may also be considered as a most
extraordinary circumstance, that the Chepewyans go North-West from hence
to the barren grounds, which are their own country, without the
assistance of canoes; as it is well known that in every other part which
has been described, from Cumberland House, the country is broken on
either side of the direction to a great extent: so that a traveller
could not go at right angles with any of the waters already mentioned,
without meeting with others in every eight or ten miles.  This will also
be found to be very much the case in proceeding to Portage la Loche.

The last mentioned rapid is upwards of three miles long, North-West by
West; there is, however, no carrying, as the line and poles are
sufficient to drag and set the canoes against the current.  Lake Croche
is then crossed in a Westerly direction of six miles, though its whole
length may be twice that distance: after which it contracts to a river
that runs Westerly for ten miles, when it forms a bend, which is left to
the South, and entering a portion of its waters called the Grass River,
whose meandering course is about six miles, but in a direct line not
more than half that length, where it receives its waters from the great
river, which then runs Westerly eleven miles before it forms the Knee
Lake, whose direction is to the North of West.  It is full of islands
for eighteen miles, and its greatest apparent breadth is not more than
five miles.  The portage of the same name is several hundred yards long,
and over large stones.  Its latitude is 55. 50. and longitude 106. 30.
Two miles further North is the commencement of the Croche Rapid, which
is a succession of cascades for about three miles, making a bend due
South to the Lake du Primeau, whose course is various, and through
islands, to the distance of about fifteen miles.  The banks of this lake
are low, stony, and marshy, whose grass and rushes afford shelter and
food to great numbers of wild fowl.  At its Western extremity is Portage
la Puise, from whence the river takes a meandering course, widening and
contracting at intervals, and is much interrupted by rapids.  After a
Westerly course of twenty miles, it reaches Portage Pellet.  From hence,
in the course of seven miles, are three rapids, to which succeeds the
Shagoina Lake, which may be eighteen miles in circumference.  Then
Shagoina strait and rapid lead into the Lake of Isle a la Crosse, in
which the course is South twenty miles, and South-South-West fourteen
miles, to the Point au Sable; opposite to which is the discharge of the
Beaver-River, bearing South six miles: the lake in the distance run,
does not exceed twelve miles in its greatest breadth.  It now turns
West-South-West, the Isle a la Crosse being on the South, and the main
land on the North; and it clears the one and the other in the distance
of three miles, the water presenting an open horizon to right and left;
that on the left formed by a deep narrow bay, about ten leagues in
depth; and that to the right by what is called la Riviere Creuse, or
Deep River, being a canal of still water, which is here four miles wide.
On following the last course, Isle a la Crosse Fort appears on a low
isthmus, at the distance of five miles, and is in latitude
55. 25. North, and longitude 107. 48. West.

This lake and fort take their names from the island just mentioned,
which, as has been already observed, received its denomination from the
game of the cross, which forms a principal amusement among the natives.

The situation of this lake, the abundance of the finest fish in the
world to be found in its waters, the richness of its surrounding banks
and forests, in moose and fallow deer, with the vast numbers of the
smaller tribes of animals, whose skins are precious, and the numerous
flocks of wild fowl that frequent it in the spring and fall, make it a
most desirable spot for the constant residence of some, and the
occasional rendezvous of others of the inhabitants of the country,
particularly of the Knisteneaux.

Who the original people were that were driven from it, when conquered by
the Knisteneaux, is not now known, as not a single vestige remains of
them.  The latter, and the Chepewyans, are the only people that have
been known here; and it is evident that the last-mentioned consider
themselves as strangers, and seldom remain longer than three or four
years, without visiting their relations and friends in the barren
grounds, which they term their native country.  They were for some time
treated by the Knisteneaux as enemies; who now allow them to hunt to the
North of the track which has been described, from Fort du Traite
upwards, but when they occasionally meet them, they insist on
contributions, and frequently punish resistance with their arms.  This
is sometimes done at the forts, or places of trade, but then it appears
to be a voluntary gift.  A treat of rum is expected on the occasion,
which the Chepewyans on no other account ever purchase; and those only
who have had frequent intercourse with the Knisteneaux have any
inclination to drink it.

When the Europeans first penetrated into this country, in 1777, the
people of both tribes were numerous, but the small-pox was fatal to them
all, so that there does not exist of the one, at present, more than
forty resident families; and the other has been from about thirty to two
hundred families.  These numbers are applicable to the constant and less
ambitious inhabitants, who are satisfied with the quiet possession of a
country affording, without risk or much trouble, every thing necessary
to their comfort; for since traders have spread themselves over it, it
is no more the rendezvous of the errant Knisteneaux, part of whom used
annually to return thither from the country of the Beaver River, which
they had explored to its source in their war and hunting excursions, and
as far as the Saskatchiwine, where they sometimes met people of their
own nation, who had prosecuted similar conquests up that river.  In that
country they found abundance of fish and animals, such as have been
already described, with the addition of the buffaloes, who range in the
partial patches of meadow scattered along the rivers and lakes.  From
thence they returned in the spring to their friends whom they had left;
and, at the same time met with others who had penetrated with the same
designs into the Athabasca country, which will be described hereafter.

The spring was the period of this joyful meeting, when their time was
occupied in feasting, dancing, and other pastimes, which were
occasionally suspended for sacrifice, and religious solemnity: while the
narratives of their travels, and the history of their wars, amused and
animated the festival.  The time of rejoicing was but short, and was
soon interrupted by the necessary preparations for their annual journey
to Churchill, to exchange their furs for such European articles as were
now become necessary to them.  The shortness of the seasons, and the
great length of their way requiring the utmost despatch, the most active
men of the tribe, with their youngest women, and a few of their children
undertook the voyage, under the direction of some of their chiefs,
following the waters already described, to their discharge at Churchill
Factory, which are called, as has already been observed, the Missinipi,
or Great Waters.  There they remained no longer than was sufficient to
barter their commodities, with a supernumerary day or two to gratify
themselves with the indulgence of spirituous liquors.  At the same time
the inconsiderable quantity they could purchase to carry away with them,
for a regale with their friends, was held sacred, and reserved to
heighten the enjoyment of their return home, when the amusements,
festivity, and religious solemnities of the spring were repeated.  The
usual time appropriated to these convivialities being completed, they
separated, to pursue their different objects; and if they were
determined to go to war, they made the necessary arrangements for their
future operations.

But we must now renew the progress of the route.  It is not more than
two miles from Isle a la Crosse Fort, to a point of land which forms a
cheek of that part of the lake called the Riviere Creuse, which
preserves the breadth already mentioned for upwards of twenty miles;
then contracts to about two, for the distance of ten miles more, when it
opens to Lake Clear, which is very wide, and commands an open horizon,
keeping the West shore for six miles.  The whole of the distance
mentioned is about North-West, when, by a narrow, crooked channel,
turning to the South of West, the entry is made into Lake du Boeuf,
which is contracted near the middle, by a projecting sandy point;
independent of which it may be described as from six to twelve miles in
breadth, thirty-six miles long, and in a North-West direction.  At the
North-West end, in latitude 56. 8. it receives the waters of the river
la Loche, which, in the fall of the year, is very shallow, and navigated
with difficulty even by half-laden canoes.  Its water is not sufficient
to form strong rapids, though from its rocky bottom the canoes are
frequently in considerable danger.  Including its meanders, the course
of this river may be computed at twenty-four miles, and receives its
first waters from the lake of the same name, which is about twenty miles
long, and six wide; into which a small river flows, sufficient to bear
loaded canoes, for about a mile and an half, where the navigation
ceases; and the canoes, with their lading, are carried over the Portage
la Loche for thirteen miles.

This portage is the ridge that divides the waters which discharge
themselves into Hudson's Bay, from those that flow into the Northern
ocean, and is in the latitude 56. 20.  and longitude 109. 15. West.  It
runs South-West until it loses its local height between the
Saskatchiwine and Elk Rivers; close on the bank of the former, in
latitude 53. 36. North, and longitude 113. 45. West, it may be traced
in an Easterly direction toward latitude 58. 12. North, and longitude
103½. West, when it appears to take its course due North, and may
probably reach the Frozen Seas.

From Lake le Souris, the banks of the rivers and lakes display a smaller
portion of solid rock.  The land is low and stony, intermixed with a
light, sandy soil, and clothed with wood.  That of the Beaver River is
of a more productive quality: but no part of it has ever been cultivated
by the natives or Europeans, except a small garden at the Isle a la
Crosse, which well repaid the labour bestowed upon it.

The Portage la Loche is of a level surface, in some parts abounding with
stones, but in general it is an entire sand, and covered with the
cypress, the pine, the spruce fir, and other trees natural to its soil.
Within three miles of the North-West termination, there is a small round
lake, whose diameter does not exceed a mile, and which affords a
trifling respite to the labour of carrying.  Within a mile of the
termination of the Portage is a very steep precipice, whose ascent and
descent appears to be equally impracticable in any way, as it consists
of a succession of eight hills, some of which are almost perpendicular;
nevertheless, the Canadians contrive to surmount all these difficulties,
even with their canoes and lading.

This precipice, which rises upwards of a thousand feet above the plain
beneath it, commands a most extensive, romantic, and ravishing prospect.
From thence the eye looks down on the course of the little river, by
some called the Swan river, and by others, the Clear-Water and Pelican
river, beautifully meandering for upwards of thirty miles.  The valley,
which is at once refreshed and adorned by it, is about three miles in
breadth, and is confined by two lofty ridges of equal height, displaying
a most beautiful intermixture of wood and lawn, and stretching on till
the blue mist obscures the prospect.  Some parts of the inclining
heights are covered with stately forests, relieved by promontories of
the finest verdure, where the elk and buffalo find pasture.  These are
contrasted by spots where fire has destroyed the woods, and left a
dreary void behind it.  Nor, when I beheld this wonderful display of
uncultivated nature, was the moving scenery of human occupation wanting
to complete the picture.  From this elevated situation, I beheld my
people, diminished, as it were, to half their size, employed in pitching
their tents in a charming meadow, and among the canoes, which, being
turned upon their sides, presented their reddened bottoms in contrast
with the surrounding verdure.  At the same time, the process of gumming
them produced numerous small spires of smoke, which, as they rose,
enlivened the scene, and at length blended with the larger columns that
ascended from the fires where the suppers were preparing.  It was in the
month of September when I enjoyed a scene, of which I do not presume to
give an adequate description; and as it was the rutting season of the
elk, the whistling of that animal was heard in all the variety which the
echoes could afford it.

This river, which waters and reflects such enchanting scenery, runs,
including its windings, upwards of eighty miles, when it discharges
itself in the Elk River, according to the denomination of the natives,
but commonly called by the white people, the Athabasca River, in
latitude 56. 42. North.

At a small distance from Portage la Loche, several carrying-places
interrupt the navigation of the river; about the middle of which are
some mineral springs, whose margins are covered with sulphureous
incrustations.  At the junction or fork, the Elk River is about three
quarters of a mile in breadth, and runs in a steady current, sometimes
contracting, but never increasing its channel, till, after receiving
several small streams, it discharges itself into the Lake of the Hills,
in latitude 58. 36. North.  At about twenty-four miles from the Fork,
are some bituminous fountains, into which a pole of twenty feet long may
be inserted without the least resistance.  The bitumen is in a fluid
state, and when mixed with gum, or the resinous substance collected from
the spruce fir, serves to gum the canoes.  In its heated state it emits
a smell like that of sea-coal.  The banks of the river, which are there
very elevated, discover veins of the same bituminous quality.  At a
small distance from the Fork, houses have been erected for the
convenience of trading with a party of the Knisteneaux, who visit the
adjacent country for the purpose of hunting.

At the distance of about forty miles from the lake, is the Old
Establishment, which has been already mentioned, as formed by Mr. Pond
in the year 1778-9, and which was the only one in this part of the
world, till the year 1785.  In the year 1788 it was transferred to the
Lake of the Hills, and formed on a point on its Southern side, at about
eight miles from the discharge of the river.  It was named Fort
Chepewyan, and is in latitude 58. 38. North, longitude 110. 26. West,
and much better situated for trade and fishing as the people here have
recourse to water for their support.

This being the place which I made my headquarters for eight years, and
from whence I took my departure, on both my expeditions, I shall give
some account of it, with the manner of carrying on the trade there, and
other circumstances connected with it.

The laden canoes which leave Lake la Pluie about the first of August, do
not arrive here till the latter end of September, or the beginning of
October, when a necessary proportion of them is despatched up the Peace
River to trade with the Beaver and Rocky-Mountain Indians.  Others are
sent to the Slave River and Lake, or beyond them, and traffic with the
inhabitants of that country.  A small part of them, if not left at the
Fork of the Elk River, return thither for the Knisteneaux, while the
rest of the people and merchandise remain here, to carry on trade with
the Chepewyans.

Here have I arrived with ninety or an hundred men without any provision
for their sustenance; for whatever quantity might have been obtained
from the natives during the summer, it could not be more than sufficient
for the people despatched to their different posts; and even if there
were a casual superfluity, it was absolutely necessary to preserve it
untouched, for the demands of the spring.  The whole dependence,
therefore, of those who remained, was on the lake, and fishing
implements for the means of our support.  The nets are sixty fathom in
length, when set, and contain fifteen meshes of five inches in depth.
The manner of using them is as follows: A small stone and wooden buoy
are fastened to the side-line opposite to each other, at about the
distance of two fathoms; when the net is carefully thrown into the
water, the stone sinks it to the bottom, while the buoy keeps it at its
full extent, and it is secured in its situation by a stone at either
end.  The nets are visited every day, and taken out every other day to
be cleaned and dried.  This is a very ready operation when the waters
are not frozen, but when the frost has set in, and the ice has acquired
its greatest thickness, which is sometimes as much as five feet, holes
are cut in it at the distance of thirty feet from each other, to the
full length of the net; one of them is larger than the rest, being
generally about four feet square, and is called the basin: by means of
them, and poles of a proportionable length, the nets are placed in and
drawn out of the water.  The setting of hooks and lines is so simple an
employment as to render a description unnecessary.  The white fish are
the principal object of pursuit: they spawn in the fall of the year,
and, at about the setting in of the hard frost, crowd in shoals to the
shallow water, when as many as possible are taken, in order that a
portion of them may be laid by in the frost to provide against the
scarcity of winter; as, during that season, the fish of every
description decrease in the lakes, if they do not altogether disappear.
Some have supposed that during this period they are stationary, or
assume an inactive state.  If there should be any intervals of warm
weather during the fall, it is necessary to suspend the fish by the
tail, though they are not so good as those which are altogether
preserved by the frost.  In this state they remain to the beginning of
April, when they have been found as sweet as when they were caught.[11]

Thus do these voyagers live, year after year, entirely upon fish,
without even the quickening flavour of salt, or the variety of any
farinaceous root or vegetable.  Salt, however, if their habits had not
rendered it unnecessary, might be obtained in this country to the
Westward of the Peace River, where it loses its name in that of the
Slave River, from the numerous salt-ponds and springs to be found there,
which will supply in any quantity, in a state of concretion, and
perfectly white and clean.  When the Indians pass that way they bring a
small quantity to the fort, with other articles of traffic.

During a short period of the spring and fall, great numbers of wild fowl
frequent this country, which prove a very gratifying food after such a
long privation of flesh-meat.  It is remarkable, however, that the
Canadians who frequent the Peace, Saskatchiwine, and Assiniboin rivers,
and live altogether on venison, have a less healthy appearance than
those whose sustenance is obtained from the waters.  At the same time
the scurvy is wholly unknown among them.

In the fall of the year the natives meet the traders at the forts, where
they barter the furs or provisions which they may have procured; they
then obtain credit, and proceed to hunt the beavers, and do not return
till the beginning of the year; when they are again fitted out in the
same manner and come back the latter end of March, or the beginning of
April; They are now unwilling to repair to the beaver hunt until the
waters, are clear of ice, that they may kill them with fire-arms, which
the Chepewyans are averse to employ.  The major part of the latter
return to the barren grounds, and live during the summer with their
relations and friends in the enjoyment of that plenty which is derived
from numerous herds of deer.  But those of that tribe who are most
partial to these deserts, cannot remain there in winter, and they are
obliged, with the deer, to take shelter in the woods during that
rigorous season, when they contrive to kill a few beavers, and send them
by young men, to exchange for iron utensils and ammunition.

Till the year 1782, the people of Athabasca sent or carried their furs
regularly to Fort Churchill, Hudson's Bay; and some of them have, since
that time, repaired thither, notwithstanding they could have provided
themselves with all the necessaries which they required.  The difference
of the price set on goods here and at the factory, made it an object
with the Chepewyans to undertake a journey of five or six months, in the
course of which they were reduced to the most painful extremities, and
often lost their lives from hunger and fatigue, At present, however,
this traffic is in a great measure discontinued, as they were obliged to
expend in the course of their journey, that very ammunition which was
its most alluring object.

[1] This might be properly called the stock of the company, as it
included, with the expenditure of the year, the amount of the property
unexpended, which had been appropriated for the adventure of that year,
and was carried on to the account of the following adventure.

[2] This will be better illustrated by the following statement:--We
will suppose the goods for 1798: The orders for the goods are sent to
this country 25th October, 1796; they are shipped from London March,
1797; they arrive in Montreal June, 1797; they are made up in the course
of that summer and winter; they are sent from Montreal May, 1798; they
arrive in the Indian country, and are exchanged for furs the following
winter, 1798-99; which furs come to Montreal September, 1799; and are
shipped for London; where they are sold in March and April, and paid for
in May or June, 1800.

[3] The place where the goods alone are carried, is called a _Decharge_,
and that where goods and canoes are both transported overland, is
denominated a _Portage_.

[4] In the year 1668, when the first missionaries visited the South of
this lake, they found the country full of inhabitants.  They relate,
that about this time a band of the Nepisingues, who were converted,
emigrated to the Nipigon country, which is to the North of Lake
Superior.  Few of their descendants are now remaining, and not a trace
of the religion communicated to them is to be discovered.

[5] Corn is the cheapest provision that can be procured, though from the
expense of transport, the bushel costs about twenty shillings sterling,
at the Grande Portage.  A man's daily allowance does not exceed
ten-pence.

[6] Here is a most excellent fishery for white fish, which are
exquisite.

[7] The route which we have been travelling hitherto, leads along the
high rocky land or bank of Lake Superior on the left.  The face of the
country offers a wild scene of huge hills and rocks, separated by stony
valleys, lakes and ponds.  Wherever there is the least soil, it is well
covered with trees.

[8] The fruits are, strawberries, hurtleberries, plums, and cherries,
hazelnuts, gooseberries, currents, raspberries, poires, etc.

[9] This was also a principal post of the French, who gave it its name.

[10] It may be proper to observe, that the French had two settlements
upon the Saskatchiwine, long before, and at the conquest of Canada; the
first at the Pasquia, near Carrot River, and the other at Nipawi, where
they had agricultural instruments and wheel carriages, marks of both
being found about those establishments, where the soil is excellent.

[11] This fishery requires the most unremitting attention, as the
voyaging Canadians are equally indolent, extravagant, and improvident,
when left to themselves, and rival the savages in a neglect of the
morrow.




SOME ACCOUNT OF THE KNISTENEAUX INDIANS.


These people are spread over a vast extent of country.  Their language
is the same as that of the people who inhabit the coast of British
America on the Atlantic, with the exception of the Esquimaux,[1] and
continues along the coast of Labrador, and the gulf and banks of
St. Laurence to Montreal.

The line then follows the Utawas river to its source; and continues from
thence nearly West along the highlands which divides the waters that
fall into Lake Superior and Hudson's Bay.  It then proceeds till it
strikes the middle part of the river Winipic, following that water to
the Lake Winipic, to the discharge of the Saskatchiwine into it; from
thence it accompanies the latter to Fort George, when the line, striking
by the head of the Beaver river to the Elk river, runs along its banks
to its discharge in the Lake of the Hills; from which it may be carried
back East, to the Isle a la Crosse, and so on to Churchill by the
Missinipi, The whole of the tract between this line and Hudson's Bay and
Straits (except that of the Esquimaux in the latter), may be said to be
exclusively the country of the Knisteneaux.  Some of them indeed, have
penetrated further West and South to the Red River, to the South of Lake
Winipic, and the South branch of the Saskatchiwine.

They are of a moderate stature, well proportioned, and of great
activity.  Examples of deformity are seldom to be seen among them.
Their complexion is of a copper colour, and their hair black, which is
common to all the natives of North America.  It is cut in various forms,
according to the fancy of the several tribes, and by some is left in the
long, lank, flow of nature.  They very generally extract their beards,
and both sexes manifest a disposition to pluck the hair from every part
of their body and limbs.  Their eyes are black, keen, and penetrating;
their countenance open and agreeable, and it is a principal object of
their vanity to give every possible decoration to their persons.  A
material article in their toilets is vermilion, which they contrast with
their native blue, white, and brown earths, to which charcoal is
frequently added.

Their dress is at once simple and commodious.  It consists of tight
leggins, reaching near the hip: a strip of cloth or leather, called
assian, about a foot wide, and five feet long, whose ends are drawn
inwards and hang behind and before, over a belt tied round the waist for
that purpose: a close vest or shirt reaching down to the former garment,
and cinctured with a broad strip of parchment fastened with thongs
behind; and a cap for the head, consisting of a piece of fur, or small
skin, with the brush of the animal as a suspended ornament: a kind of
robe is thrown occasionally over the whole of the dress, and serves both
night and day.  These articles, with the addition of shoes and mittens,
constitute the variety of their apparel.  The materials vary according
to the season, and consist of dressed moose-skin, beaver prepared with
the fur, or European woollens.  The leather is neatly painted, and
fancifully worked in some parts with porcupine quills, and moose-deer
hair: the shirts and leggins are also adorned with fringe and tassels;
nor are the shoes and mittens without somewhat of appropriate
decoration, and worked with a considerable degree of skill and taste.
These habiliments are put on, however, as fancy or convenience suggests;
and they will sometimes proceed to the chase in the severest frost,
covered only with the slightest of them.


Their head-dresses are composed of the feathers of the swan, the eagle,
and other birds.  The teeth, horns, and claws of different animals, are
also the occasional ornaments of the head and neck.  Their hair, however
arranged, is always besmeared with grease.  The making of every article
of dress is a female occupation; and the women, though by no means
inattentive to the decoration of their own persons, appear to have a
still greater degree of pride in attending to the appearance of the men,
whose faces are painted with more care than those of the women.

The female dress is formed of the same materials as those of the other
sex, but of a different make and arrangement.  Their shoes are commonly
plain, and their leggins gartered beneath the knee.  The coat, or body
covering, falls down to the middle of the leg, and is fastened over the
shoulders with cords, a flap or cape turning down about eight inches,
both before and behind, and agreeably ornamented with quill-work and
fringe; the bottom is also fringed, and fancifully painted as high as
the knee.  As it is very loose, it is enclosed round the waist with a
stiff belt, decorated with tassels, and fastened behind.  The arms are
covered to the wrist, with detached sleeves, which are sewed as far as
the bend of the arm; from thence they are drawn up to the neck, and the
corners of them fall down behind, as low as the waist.  The cap, when
they wear one, consists of a certain quantity of leather or cloth, sewed
at one end, by which means it is kept on the head, and, hanging down the
back, is fastened to the belt, as well as under the chin.  The upper
garment is a robe like that worn by the men.  Their hair is divided on
the crown, and tied behind, or sometimes fastened in large knots over
the ears.  They are fond of European articles, and prefer them to their
own native commodities.  Their ornaments consist in common with all
savages, in bracelets, rings, and similar baubles.  Some of the women
tattoo three perpendicular lines, which are sometimes double: one from
the centre of the chin to that of the under lip, and one parallel on
either side to the corner of the mouth.

Of all the nations which I have seen on this continent, the Knisteneaux
women are the most comely.  Their figure is generally well proportioned,
and the regularity of their features would be acknowledged by the more
civilized people of Europe.  Their complexion has less of that dark
tinge which is common to those savages who have less cleanly habits.

These people are, in general, subject to few disorders.  The lues
venera, however, is a common complaint, but cured by the application of
simples, with whose virtues they appear to be well acquainted.  They are
also subject to fluxes, and pains in the breast, which some have
attributed to the very keen and cold air which they inhale; but I should
imagine that these complaints must frequently proceed from their
immoderate indulgence in fat meat at their feasts, particularly when
they have been preceded by long fasting.

They are naturally mild and affable, as well as just in their dealings,
not only among themselves, but with strangers.[2] They are also generous
and hospitable, and good-natured in the extreme, except when their
nature is perverted by the inflammatory influence of spirituous liquors.
To their children they are indulgent to a fault.  The father, though he
assumes no command over them, is ever anxious to instruct them in all
the preparatory qualifications for war and hunting; while the mother is
equally attentive to her daughters in teaching them every thing that is
considered as necessary to their character and situation.  It does not
appear that the husband makes any distinction between the children of
his wife, though they may be the offspring of different fathers.
Illegitimacy is only attached to those who are born before their mothers
have cohabited with any man by the title of husband.

It does not appear, that chastity is considered by them as a virtue; or
that fidelity is believed to be essential to the happiness of wedded
life, Though it sometimes happens that the infidelity of a wife is
punished by the husband with the loss of her hair, nose, and perhaps
life; such severity proceeds from its having been practised without his
permission: for a temporary interchange of wives is not uncommon: and
the offer of their persons is considered as a necessary part of the
hospitality due to strangers.

When a man loses his wife, it is considered as a duty to marry her
sister, if she has one; or he may, if he pleases, have them both at the
same time.

It will appear from the fatal consequences I have repeatedly imputed to
the use of spirituous liquors that I more particularly consider these
people as having been, morally speaking, great sufferers from their
communication with the subjects of civilized nations.  At the same time
they were not, in a state of nature, without their vices, and some of
them of a kind which is the most abhorrent to cultivated and reflecting
man.  I shall only observe, that incest and bestiality are among them.

When a young man marries, he immediately goes to live with the father
and mother of his wife, who treat him, nevertheless, as a perfect
stranger, till after the birth of his first child: he then attaches
himself more to them than his own parents; and his wife no longer gives
him any other denomination than that of the father of her child.

The profession of the men is war and hunting, and the more active scene
of their duty is the field of battle, and the chase in the woods.  They
also spear fish, but the management of the nets is left to the women.
The females of this nation are in the same subordinate state with those
of all other savage tribes, but the severity of their labour is much
diminished by their situation on the banks of lakes and rivers, where
they employ canoes.  In the winter, when the waters are frozen, they
make their journeys, which are never of any great length, with sledges
drawn by dogs.  They are, at the same time, subject to every kind of
domestic drudgery; they dress the leather, make the clothes and shoes,
weave the nets, collect wood, erect the tents, fetch water, and perform
every culinary service; so that when the duties of maternal care are
added, it will appear, that the life of these women is an uninterrupted
succession of toil and pain.  This, indeed, is the sense they entertain
of their own situation; and under the influence of that sentiment, they
are sometimes known to destroy their female children, to save them from
the miseries which they themselves have suffered.  They also have a
ready way, by the use of certain simples, of procuring abortions, which
they sometimes practise, from their hatred of the father, or to save
themselves the trouble which children occasion: and, as I have been
credibly informed, this unnatural act is repeated without any injury to
the health of the women who perpetrate it.

The funeral rites begin, like all other solemn ceremonials, with
smoking, and are concluded by a feast.  The body is dressed in the best
habiliments possessed by the deceased, or his relations, and is then
deposited in a grave lined with branches; some domestic utensils are
place on it, and a kind of canopy erected over it.  During this
ceremony, great lamentations are made, and if the departed person is
very much regretted, the near relations cut off their hair, pierce the
fleshy part of their thighs and arms with arrows, knives, etc, and
blacken their faces with charcoal.  If they have distinguished
themselves in war, they are sometimes laid on a kind of scaffolding; and
I have been informed, that women, as in the East, have been known to
sacrifice themselves to the manes of their husbands.  The whole of the
property belonging to the departed person is destroyed, and the
relations take in exchange for the wearing apparel, any rags that will
cover their nakedness.  The feast bestowed on the occasion, which is, or
at least used to be, repeated annually, is accompanied with eulogiums on
the deceased, and without any acts of ferocity.  On the tomb are carved
or painted the symbols of his tribe, which are taken from the different
animals of the country.

Many and various are the motives which induce a savage to engage in war.
To prove his courage, or to revenge the death of his relations, or some
of his tribe, by the massacre of an enemy.  If the tribe feel themselves
called upon to go to war, the elders convene the people, in order to
know the general opinion.  If it be for war, the chief publishes his
intention to smoke in the sacred stem at a certain period, to which
solemnity, meditation and fasting are required as preparatory
ceremonials.  When the people are thus assembled, and the meeting
sanctified by the custom of smoking, the chief enlarges on the causes
which have called them together, and the necessity of the measures
proposed on the occasion.  He then invites those who are willing to
follow him, to smoke out of the sacred stem, which is considered as the
token of enrolment; and if it should be the general opinion that
assistance is necessary, others are invited, with great formality, to
join them.  Every individual who attends these meetings, brings
something with him as a token of his warlike intention, or as an object
of sacrifice, which, when the assembly dissolves, is suspended from
poles near the place of council.

They have frequent feasts, and particular circumstances never fail to
produce them, such as a tedious illness, long fasting, etc.  On these
occasions it is usual for the person who means to give the
entertainment, to announce his design, on a certain day, of opening the
medicine-bag, and smoking out of his sacred stem.  This declaration is
considered as a sacred vow that cannot be broken.  There are also stated
periods, such as the spring and autumn, when they engage in very long
and solemn ceremonies.  On these occasions dogs are offered as
sacrifices, and those which are very fat, and milk-white, are preferred.
They also make large offerings of their property, whatever it may be.
The scene of these ceremonies is in an open inclosure on the bank of a
river or lake, and in the most conspicuous situation, in order that such
as are passing along or travelling, may be induced to make their
offerings.  There is also a particular custom among them, that, on these
occasions, if any of the tribe, or even a stranger, should be passing
by, and be in real want of any thing that is displayed as an offering,
he has a right to take it, so that he replaces it with some article he
can spare, though it be of far inferior value; but to take or touch any
thing wantonly is considered as a sacrilegious act, and highly insulting
to the great Master of Life, to use their own expression, who is the
sacred object of their devotion.

The scene of private sacrifice is the lodge of the person who performs
it, which is prepared for that purpose, by removing every thing out of
it, and spreading green branches in every part.  The fire and ashes are
also taken away.  A new hearth is made of fresh, earth, and another fire
is lighted.  The owner of the dwelling remains alone in it; and he
begins the ceremony by spreading a piece of new cloth, or a well-dressed
moose-skin neatly painted, on which he opens his medicine-bag and
exposes its contents, consisting of various articles.  The principal of
them is a kind of household god, which is a small carved image about
eight inches long.  Its first covering is of down, over which a piece of
birch-bark is closely tied, and the whole is enveloped in several folds
of red and blue cloth.  This little figure is an object of the most
pious regard.  The next article is his war-cap, which is decorated with
the feathers and plumes of scarce birds, beavers, and eagle's claws,
etc.  There is also suspended from it a quill or feather for every enemy
whom the owner of it has slain in battle.  The remaining contents of the
bag are, a piece of Brazil tobacco, several roots and simples, which are
in great estimation for their medicinal qualities, and a pipe.  These
articles being all exposed, and the stem resting upon two forks, as it
must not touch the ground, the master of the lodge sends for the person
he most esteems, who sits down opposite to him; the pipe is then filled
and fixed to the stem.  A pair of wooden pincers is provided to put the
fire in the pipe, and a double-pointed pin, to empty it of the remnant
of tobacco which is not consumed.  This arrangement being made, the men
assemble, and sometimes the women are allowed to be humble spectators,
while the most religious awe and solemnity pervades the whole.  The
Michiniwais, or Assistant, takes up the pipe, lights it, and presents it
to the officiating person, who receives it standing and holds it between
both his hands.  He then turns himself to the East, and draws a few
whiffs, which he blows to that point.  The same ceremony he observes to
the other three quarters, with his eyes directed upwards during the
whole of it.  He holds the stem about the middle between the three first
fingers of both hands, and raising them upon a line with his forehead,
he swings it three times round from the East, with the sun, when, after
pointing and balancing it in various directions, he reposes it on the
forks: he then makes a speech to explain the design of their being
called together, which concludes with an acknowledgment for past
mercies, and a prayer for the continuance of them, from the Master of
Life.  He then sits down, and the whole company declare their
approbation and thanks by uttering the word _ho!_ with an emphatic
prolongation of the last letter.  The Michiniwais then takes up the pipe
and holds it to the mouth of the officiating person, who, after smoking
three whiffs out of it, utters a short prayer, and then goes round with
it, taking his course from East to West, to every person present, who
individually says something to him on the occasion; and thus the pipe is
generally smoked out; when, after turning it three or four times round
his head, he drops it downwards, and replaces it in its original
situation.  He then returns the company thanks for their attendance, and
wishes them, as well as the whole tribe, health and long life.

These smoking rites precede every matter of great importance with more
or less ceremony, but always with equal solemnity.  The utility of them
will appear from the following relation.

If a chief is anxious to know the disposition of his people towards him,
or if he wishes to settle any difference between them, he announces his
intention of opening his medicine-bag and smoking in his sacred stem;
and no man who entertains a grudge against any of the party thus
assembled can smoke with the sacred stem; as that ceremony dissipates
all differences, and is never violated.

No one can avoid attending on these occasions; but a person may attend
and be excused from assisting at the ceremonies, by acknowledging that
he has not undergone the necessary purification.  The having cohabited
with his wife, or any other woman, within twenty-four hours preceding
the ceremony, renders him unclean, and, consequently, disqualifies him
from performing any part of it.  If a contract is entered into and
solemnised by the ceremony of smoking, it never fails of being
faithfully fulfilled.  If a person, previous to his going a journey,
leaves the sacred stem as a pledge of his return, no consideration
whatever will prevent him from executing his engagement.[3]

The chief, when he proposes to make a feast, sends quills, or small
pieces of wood, as tokens of invitation to such as he wishes to partake
of it.  At the appointed time the guests arrive, each bringing a dish or
platter, and a knife, and take their seats on each side of the chief,
who receives them sitting, according to their respective ages.  The pipe
is then lighted, and he makes an equal division of every thing that is
provided.  While the company are enjoying their meal, the chief sings,
and accompanies his song with the tambourine, or shishiquoi, or rattle.
The guest who has first eaten his portion is considered as the most
distinguished person.  If there should be any who cannot finish the
whole of their mess, they endeavour to prevail on some of their friends
to eat it for them, who are rewarded for their assistance with
ammunition and tobacco.  It is proper also to remark, that at these
feasts a small quantity of meat or drink is sacrificed, before they
begin to eat, by throwing it into the fire, or on the earth.

These feasts differ according to circumstances; sometimes each man's
allowance is no more than he can despatch in a couple of hours.  At
other times the quantity is sufficient to supply each of them with food
for a week, though it must be devoured in a day.  On these occasions it
is very difficult to procure substitutes, and the whole must be eaten
whatever time it may require.  At some of these entertainments there is
a more rational arrangement, when the guests are allowed to carry home
with them the superfluous part of their portions.  Great care is always
taken that the bones may be burned, as it would be considered a
profanation were the dogs permitted to touch them.

The public feasts are conducted in the same manner, but with some
additional ceremony.  Several chiefs officiate at them, and procure the
necessary provisions, as well as prepare a proper place of reception for
the numerous company.  Here the guests discourse upon public topics,
repeat the heroic deeds of their forefathers, and excite the rising
generation to follow their example.  The entertainments on these
occasions consist of dried meats, as it would not be practicable to
dress a sufficient quantity of fresh meat for such a large assembly;
though the women and children are excluded.

Similar feasts used to be made at funerals, and annually, in honour of
the dead; but they have been, for some time, growing into disuse, and I
never had an opportunity of being present at any of them.

The women, who are forbidden to enter the places sacred to these
festivals, dance and sing around them, and sometimes beat time to the
music within them; which forms an agreeable contrast.

With respect to their divisions of time, they compute the length of
their journeys by the number of nights passed in performing them; and
they divide the year by the succession of moons.  In this calculation,
however, they are not altogether correct, as they cannot account for the
odd days.

The names which they give to the names are descriptive of the several
seasons.

 May           Atheiky o Pishim     Frog Moon.
 June          Oppinu o Pishim      The Moon in which
                                     birds begin to lay
                                     their eggs.
 July          Aupascen o Pishim    The Moon when
                                     birds cast their
                                     feathers.
 August        Aupahou o Pishim     The Moon when
                                     the young birds
                                     begin to fly.
 September     Waskiscon o Pishim   The Moon when
                                     the moose deer
                                     cast their horns.
 October       Wisac o Pishim       The Rutting-Moon.
 November      Thithigon Pewai      Hoar-Frost Moon.
                o Pishim
               Kuskatinsyoui        Ice Moon.
                o Pishim
 December      Pawatchicananasis    Whirlwind-Moon.
                o Pishim
 January       Kushapawasticanum    Extreme cold
                o Pishim             Moon.
 February      Kichi Pishim         Big Moon; some
                                     say, Old Moon.
 March         Mickysue Pishim      Eagle Moon.
 April         Niscaw o Pishim      Goose Moon.

These people know the medicinal virtues of many herbs and simples, and
apply the roots of plants and the bark of trees with success.  But the
conjurers, who monopolize the medical science, find it necessary to
blend mystery with their art, and do not communicate their knowledge.
Their materia medica they administer in the form of purges and clysters,
but the remedies and surgical operations are supposed to derive much of
their effect from magic and incantation.  When a blister rises in the
foot from the frost, the chafing of the shoe, etc., they immediately
open it, and apply the heated blade of a knife to the part, which,
painful as it may be, is found to be efficacious.  A sharp flint serves
them as a lancet for letting blood, as well as for scarification in
bruises and swellings.  For sprains, the dung of an animal just killed
is considered as the best remedy.  They are very fond of European
medicines, though they are ignorant of their application: and those
articles form an inconsiderable part of the European traffic with them.

Among their various superstitions, they believe that the vapour which is
seen to hover over moist and swampy places, is the spirit of some person
lately dead.  They also fancy another spirit which appears, in the shape
of a man, upon the trees near the lodge of a person deceased, whose
property has not been interred with them.  He is represented as bearing
a gun in his hand, and it is believed that he does not return to his
rest, till the property that has been withheld from the grave has been
sacrificed to it.


EXAMPLES OF THE KNISTENEAUX AND ALGONQUIN TONGUES.

                    Knisteneaux.         Algonquin.
 Good Spirit        Ki jai Manitou       Ki jai Manitou.
 Evil Spirit        Matchi manitou       Matchi-manitou.
 Man                Ethini               Inini
 Woman              Esquois              Ich-quois.
 Male               Nap hew              Aquoisi.
 Female             Non-gense            Non-gense.
 Infant             A' wash ish          Abi nont-chen.
 Head               Us ti quoin          O'chiti-goine.
 Forehead           Es caatick           O catick.
 Hair               Wes ty-ky            Winessis.
 Eyes               Es kis och           Oskingick.
 Nose               Oskiwin              O'chengewane.
 Nostrils           Oo tith ee go mow    Ni-de-ni-guom.
 Mouth              O toune              O tonne.
 My teeth           Wip pit tah          Nibit.
 Tongue             Otaithani            O-tai-na-ni.
 Beard              Michitoune           Omichitonn.
 Brain              With i tip           Aba-e winikan.
 Ears               O tow ee gie         O-ta wagane.
 Neck               O qui ow             O'quoi gan.
 Throat             O koot tas gy        Nigon dagane.
 Arms               O nisk               O nic.
 Fingers            Che chee             Ni nid gines.
 Nails              Wos kos sia          Os-kenge.
 Side               O's spig gy          Opikegan.
 My back            No pis quan          Ni-pi quoini.
 My belly           Nattay               Ni my sat.
 Thighs             O povam              Obouame.
 My knees           No che quoin noh     Ni gui tick.
 Legs               Nos                  Ni gatte.
 Heart              Ok thea              Othai.
 My father          Noo ta wie           Nossai.
 My mother          Nigah wei            Nigah.
 My boy (son)       Negousis             Nigouisses.
 My girl (daughter) Netanis              Nidaniss.
 My brother, elder  Ni stess             Nis-a-yen.
 My sister, elder   Ne miss              Nimisain.
 My grandfather     Ne moo shum          Ni-mi-chomiss.
 My grandmother     N'o kum              No-co-miss.
 My uncle           N' o'ka miss         Ni ni michomen.
 My nephew          Ne too sim           Ne do jim.
 My niece           Ne too sim esquois   Ni-do-jim equois
 My mother-in-law   Nisigouse            Ni sigousiss.
 My brother-in-law  Nistah               Nitah.
 My companion       Ne wechi wagan       Ni-wit-chi-wagan.
 My husband         Ni nap pem           Ni na bem.
 Blood              Mith coo             Misquoi.
 Old Man            Shi nap              Aki win se.
 I am angry         Ne kis si wash en    Nis Katissiwine.
 I fear             Ne goos tow          Nisest guse.
 Joy                Ne hea tha tom       Mamond gikisi.
 Hearing            Pethom               Oda wagan.
 Track              Mis conna            Pemi ka wois.
 Chief, great ruler Haukimah             Kitchi onodis.
 Thief              Kismouthesk          Ke moutiske.
 Excrement          Meyee                Moui.
 Buffalo            Moustouche           Pichike.
 Ferret             Sigous               Shingouss.
 Polecat            Shicak               Shi kak.
 Elk                Moustouche           Michai woi.
 Rein deer          Attick               Atick.
 Fellow deer        Attick               Wa wasquesh.
 Beaver             Amisk                Amic.
 Wolverine          Qui qua katch        Quin quoagki.
 Squirrel           Ennequachas          Otchi ta mou.
 Minx               Sa quasue            Shaugouch.
 Otter              Nekick               Ni guick.
 Wolf               Mayegan              Maygan.
 Hare               Wapouce              Wapouce.
 Marten             Wappistan            Wabichinse.
 Moose              Mouswah              Monse.
 Bear               Masqua               Macqua.
 Fisher             Wijask               Od-jisck.
 Lynx               Picheu               Pechou.
 Porcupine          Cau quah             Kack.
 Fox                Mikasew              Wagouche.
 Musk Rat           Wajask               Wa-jack.
 Mouse              Abicushiss           Wai wa be gou noge.
 Cow Buffalo        Noshi Moustouche     Nochena pichik.
 Meat-flesh         Wias                 Wi-ass.
 Dog                Atim                 Ani-mouse.
 Eagle              Makusue              Me-guissis.
 Duck               Sy Sip               Shi-sip.
 Crow, Corbeau      Ca Cawkeu            Ka Kak.
 Swan               Wapiseu              Wa-pe-sy.
 Turkey             Mee sei thew         Mississay.
 Pheasants          Okes kew             Ajack.
 Bird               Pethesew             Pi-na-sy.
 Outard             Niscag               Nic kack.
 White Goose        Wey Wois             Woi wois.
 Grey Goose         Pestasish            Pos ta kisk.
 Partridge          Pithew               Pen ainse.
 Water Hen          Chiquibish           Che qui bis.
 Dove               Omi Mee              O mi-mis.
 Eggs               We Wah               Wa Weni.
 Pike or Jack       Kenonge              Kenonge.
 Carp               Na may bin           Na me bine.
 Sturgeon           Na May               Na Maiu.
 White fish         Aticaming            Aticaming.
 Pickerel           Oc-chaw              Oh-ga.
 Fish (in general)  Kenonge              Ki-cons.
 Spawn              Waquon               Wa quock.
 Fins               Chi chi kan          O nidj-igan.
 Trout              Nay gouse            Na Men Gouse.
 Craw Fish          A shag gee           A cha kens chacque.
 Frog               Atahick              O ma ka ki.
 Wasp               Ah moo               A mon.
 Turtle             Mikinack             Mi-ki-nack.
 Snake              Kinibick             Ki nai bick.
 Awl                Oscajick             Ma-gose.
 Needle             Saboinigan           Sha-bo nigan.
 Fire steel         Appet                Scoutecgan
 Fire wood          Mich-tah             Missane.
 Cradle             Teckinigan           Tickina-gan.
 Dagger             Ta Comagau           Na-ba-ke-gou-man.
 Arrow              Augusk or Atouche   Mettic ka nouins.
 Fish Hook          Quosquipichican      Maneton Miquiscan.
 Ax                 Shegaygan            Wagagvette.
 Ear-bob            Chi-kisebisoun       Na be chi be soun
 Comb               Sicahoun             Pin ack wan.
 Net                Athabe               Assap.
 Tree               Mistick              Miti-coum.
 Wood               Mistick              Mitic.
 Paddle             Aboi                 Aboui.
 Canoe              Chiman               S-chiman.
 Birch Rind         Wasquoi              Wig nass.
 Bark               Wasquoi              On-na-guege.
 Touch Wood         Pousagan             Sa-ga-tagan.
 Leaf               Nepeshah             Ni-biche.
 Grass              Masquosi             Masquosi.
 Raspberries        Misqui-meinac        Misqui meinac.
 Strawberries       O'-tai-e minac       O'-tai-e minac.
 Ashes              Pecouch              Pengoui.
 Fire               Scou tay             Scou tay.
 Grapes             Shomenac             Shomenac.
 Fog                Pakishihow           A Winni.
 Mud                Asus ki              A Shiski.
 Currant            Kisijiwin            Ki si chi woin.
 Road               Mescanah             Mickanan.
 Winter             Pipoun               Pipone.
 Island             Ministick            Miniss.
 Lake               Sagayigan            Sagayigan.
 Sun                Pisim                Kijis.
 Moon               Tibisca pesim        Dibic Kijis
                     (the night Sun)
 Day                Kigigah              Kigi gatte.
 Night              Tabisca              Dibic kawte.
 Snow               Counah               So qui po.
 Rain               Kimiwoin             Ki mi woini
 Drift              Pewan                Pi-woine.
 Hail               Shes eagan           Me qua mensan.
 Ice                Mesquaming           Me quam.
 Frost              Aquatin              Gas-ga-tin.
 Mist               Picasyow             An-quo-et.
 Water              Nepec                Nipei.
 World              Messeasky            Missi achki.
                     (all the earth)
 Mountain           Wachee               Watchive.
 Sea                Kitchi kitchi gaming Kitchi kitchi gaming.
 Morning            Kequishepe           Ki-ki-jep.
 Mid-day            Abetah quisheik      Na ock quoi.
 Portage            Unygam               Ouni-gam.
 Spring             Menouscaming         Mino ka ming.
 River              Sipee                Sipi.
 Rapid              Bawastick            Ba wetick.
 Rivulet            Sepeesis             Sipi wes chin.
 Sand               Thocaw               Ne gawe.
 Earth              Askee                Ach ki.
 Star               Attack               Anang.
 Thunder            Pithuseu             Ni mi ki.
 Wind               Thoutin              No tine.
 Calm               Athawostin           A-no-a-tine.
 Heat               Quishipoi            Aboyce.
 Evening            Ta kashike           O'n-a-guche.
 North              Kywoitin             Ke woitinak.
 South              Sawena woon          Sha-wa-na-wang.
 East               Coshawcastak         Wa-ba-no-no-tine.
 West               Paquisimow           Panguis-chi-mo.
 Tomorrow           Wabank               Wa-bang.
 Bone               Oskann               Oc-kann.
 Broth              Michim waboi         Thaboub.
 Feast              Ma qua see           Wi con qui wine.
 Grease or oil      Pimis                Pimi-tais.
 Marrow fat         Oscan pimis          Oska-pimitais.
 Sinew              Asstis               Attiss.
 Lodge              Wig-waum             Wi-gui-wam.
 Bed                Ne pa win            Ne pai wine.
 Within             Pendog ke            Pendig.
 Door               Squandam             Scouandam.
 Dish               Othagan              O' na gann.
 Fort               Wasgaigan            Wa-kuigan.
 Sledge             Tabanask             Otabanac.
 Cincture           Poquoatehoun         Ketche pisou,
 Cap                Astotin              Pe matinang.
 Socks              Ashican              A chi-gan.
 Shirt              Papackeweyan         Pa pa ki weyan.
 Coat               Papise-co-wagan      Papise-co-wa-gan
 Blanket            Wape weyang          Wape weyan.
 Cloth              Maneto weguin        Maneto weguin.
 Thread             Assabab              Assabab.
 Garters            Chi ki-bisoon        Ni gaske-tase besoun.
 Mittens            Astissack            Medjica wine.
 Shoes              Maskisin             Makisin.
 Smoking bag        Kusquepetagan        Kasquepetagan.
 Portage sling      Apisan               Apican,
 Strait on          Goi ask              Goi-ack.
 Medicine           Mas ki kee           Macki-ki.
 Red                Mes coh              Mes-cowa.
 Blue               Kasqutch (same       O-jawes-cowa.
                     as black)
 White              Wabisca              Wabisca.
 Yellow             Saw waw              O-jawa.
 Green              Chibatiquare         O'jawes-cowa.
 Brown                                   O'jawes-cowa.
 Grey, etc.                              O'jawes-cowa.
 Ugly               Mache na gouseu      Mous-counu-gouse.
 Handsome           Catawassiseu         Nam bissa.
 Beautiful          Kissi Sawenogan      Quoi Natch.
 Deaf               Nima petom           Ka ki be chai.
 Good-natured       Mithi washin         Onichishin.
 Pregnant:          Paawie               And-jioko.
 Fat                Outhineu             Oui-ni-noe.
 Big                Mushikitee           Messha.
 Small or little    Abisasheu            Agu-chin.
 Short              Chemasish            Tackosi.
 Skin               Wian                 Wian.
 Long               Kinwain              Kiniwa.
 Strong             Mascawa             |Mache-cawa.
                                        |Mas-cawise.
 Coward             Sagatahaw            Cha-goutai-ye.
 Weak               Nitha missew         Cha-gousi.
 Lean               Mahta waw            Ka wa ca tosa.
 Brave              Nima Gustaw          Son qui taige.
 Young man          Osquineguish         Oskinigui.
 Cold               Kissin               Kissinan.
 Hot                Kichatai             Kicha tai.
 Spring             Minouscaming         Minokaming.
 Summer             Nibin                Nibiqui.
 Fall               Tagowagonk           Tagowag.
 One                Peyac                Pecheik.
 Two                Nisheu               Nige.
 Three              Nishtou              Nis-wois.
 Four               Neway                Ne-au.
 Five               Ni-annan             Na-nan.
 Six                Negoutawoesic        Ni gouta was-wois.
 Seven              Nish woisic          Nigi-was-wois.
 Eight              Jannanew             She was wois.
 Nine               Shack                Shang was wois.
 Ten                Mitatat              Mit-asswois.
 Eleven             Peyac osap           Mitasswois, hachi pecheik.
 Twelve             Nisheu osap          Mitasswois, hachi, nige.
 Thirteen           Nichtou osap         Mitasswois, hachi, niswois.
 Fourteen           Neway osap           Mitasswois, hachi, ne-au.
 Fifteen            Niannan osap         Mitasswois, hachi, nanan.
 Sixteen            Nigoutawoesic osap   Mitasswois, hachi, negoutawaswois.
 Seventeen          Nish woesic osap     Mitasswois, hachi, nigi was-wois.
 Eighteen           Jannenew osap        Mitasgwois, hachi, shiwasswois.
 Nineteen           Shack osap           Mitasswois, hachi, shang as wois.
 Twenty             Nisheu mitenah       Nigeta-nan.
 Twenty-one         Nishew mitenah       Nigeta nan, hachi, pechic.
                     peyac osap
 Twenty-two, etc.   Nisheu mitenah
                    nishew osap
 Thirty             Nishtou mitenah      Niswois mitanan.
 Forty              Neway mitenah        Neau mitanan.
 Fifty              Niannan mitenah      Nanan mitanen.
 Sixty              Negoutawoisic        Nigouta was wois mitanan.
                      mitenah
 Seventy            Nishwoisic mitenah   Nigi was wois mitanan.
 Eighty             Jannaeu mitenah      She was wois mitanan.
 Ninety             Shack mitenah        Shang was wois mitanan.
 Hundred            Mitana mitenan       Ningoutwack.
 Two hundred        Neshew mitena a      Nige wack.
                     mitenah
 One thousand       Mitenah mitena       Kitchi-wack.
                     mitenah
 First              Nican                Nitam.
 Last               Squayatch            Shaquoiyanke.
 More               Minah                Awa-chi min.
 Better             Athiwack mitha-      A wachimin o
                     washin                nichi shen.
 Best               Atniwack mitha-      Kitchi o nichi shin.
                     washin
 I. or me           Nitha                Nin.
 You, or thou       Kitha                Kin.
 They, or them      Withawaw             Win na wa.
 We                 Nithawaw             Nina wa.
 My, or mine        Nitayen              Nida yam.
 Your's             Kitayan              Kitayem.
 Who                                     Auoni.
 Whom               Awoine               Kegoi nin.
 What                                    Wa
 His, or her's      Otayan               Otayim mis.
 All                Kakithau             Kakenan.
 Some, or some few  Pey peyac            Pe-pichic.
 The same           Tabescoutch          Mi ta yoche.
 All the world      Missi acki wanque    Mishiwai asky.
 All the men        Kakithaw Ethi nyock  Missi Inini wock.
 More               Mina                 Mine wa.
 Now and then                            Nannigoutengue.
 Sometimes          I as-cow-puco
 Seldom                                  Wica-ac-ko.
 Arrive             Ta couchin           Ta-gouchin.
 Beat               Otamaha              Packit-ais.
 To burn            Mistascasoo          Icha-quiso.
 To sing            Nagamoun             Nagam.
 To cut             Kisquishan           Qui qui jan.
 To hide            Catann               Caso tawe.
 To cover           Acquahoun            A co na oune.
 To believe         Taboitam             Tai boitam.
 To sleep           Nepan                Ni pann.
 To dispute         Ke ko mitowock       Ki quaidiwine.
 To dance           Nemaytow             Nimic.
 To give            Mith                 Mih.
 To do              Ogitann              O-gitoune.
 To eat             Wissinee             Wissiniwin.
 To die             Nepew                Ni po wen.
 To forget          Winnekiskisew        Woi ni mi kaw.
 To speak           Athimetakcouse       Aninntagousse.
 To cry (tears)     Mantow               Ma wi.
 To laugh           Papew                Pa-pe
 To set down        Nematappe            Na matape win.
 To walk            Pimoutais            Pemoussai.
 To fall            Packisin             Panguishin.
 To work            Ah tus kew           Anokeh.
 To kill            Nipahaw              Nishi-woes.
 To sell            Attawoin             Ata wois.
 To live            Pimatise             Pematis.
 To see             Wabam                Wab.
 To come            Astamoteh            Pitta-si-mouss.
 Enough             Egothigog            Mi mi nic.
 Cry (tears)        Manteau              Ambai ma wita.
 It hails           Shisiagan            Sai saigaun.
 There is      |
 There is some |    Aya wa               Aya wan.
 It rains           Quimiwoin            Qui mi woin.
 After to-morrow    Awis wabank          Awas webang.
 To-day             Anoutch              Non gum.
 Thereaway          Netoi                Awoite.
 Much               Michett              Ni bi wa.
 Presently          Pichisqua            Pitchinac.
 Make, heart        Quithipeh            Wai we be.
 This morning       Shebas               Shai bas.
 This night         Tibiscag             De bi cong.
 Above              Espiming             O kitchiai.
 Below              Tabassish            Ana mai.
 Truly              Taboiy               Ne de wache
 Already            Sashay               Sha shaye.
 Yet more           Minah                Mina wa.
 Yesterday          Tacoushick           Pitchinago.
 Far                Wathow               Wassa.
 Near               Quishiwoac           Paishou.
 Never              Nima wecatch         Ka wi ka.
 No                 Nima                 Ke wine.
 Yes                Ah                   In.
 By-and-bye         Pa-nima              Pa-nima.
 Always             Ka-ki-kee            Ka qui nick
 Make haste         Quethepeh            Niguim.
 It's long since    Mewaisha             Mon wisha.


[1] The similarity between their language and that of the Algonquins is
an unequivocal proof that they are the same people.  Specimens of their
respective tongues will be hereafter given.

[2] They have been called thieves, but when that vice can with justice
be attributed to them, it may be traced to their connexion with the
civilized people who come into their country to traffic.

[3] It is, however, to be lamented, that of late there is a relaxation
of the duties originally attached to these festivals.




SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CHEPEWYAN INDIANS.


They are a numerous people, who consider the country between the
parallels of latitude 60. and 65. North, and longitude 100. to
110. West, as their lands or home.  They speak a copious language, which
is very difficult to be attained, and furnishes dialects to the various
emigrant tribes which inhabit the following immense track of country,
whose boundary I shall describe.[1] It begins at Churchill, and runs
along the line of separation between them and the Knisteneaux, up the
Missinipi to the Isle a la Crosse, passing on through the Buffalo Lake,
River Lake, and Portage la Loche: from thence it proceeds by the Elk
River to the Lake of the Hills, and goes directly West to the Peace
River; and up that river to its source and tributary waters; from whence
it proceeds to the waters of the river Columbia; and follows that river
to latitude 52. 24. North, and longitude 122. 54. West, where the
Chepewyans have the Atnah or Chin Nation for their neighbours.  It then
takes a line due West to the seacoast, within which, the country is
possessed by a people who speak their language[2] and are consequently
descended from them: there can be no doubt, therefore, of their progress
being to the Eastward.  A tribe of them is even known at the upper
establishments on the Saskatchiwine; and I do not pretend to ascertain
how far they may follow the Rocky Mountains to the East.

It is not possible to form any just estimate of their numbers, but it is
apparent, nevertheless, that they are by no means proportionate to the
vast extent of their territories, which may, in some degree, be
attributed to the ravages of the small-pox, which are, more or less,
evident throughout this part of the continent.

The notion which these people entertain of the creation, is of a very
singular nature.  They believe that, at the first, the globe was one
vast and entire ocean, inhabited by no living creature, except a mighty
bird, whose eyes were fire, whose glances were lightning, and the
clapping of whose wings were thunder.  On his descent to the ocean, and
touching it, the earth instantly arose, and remained on the surface of
the waters.  This omnipotent bird then called forth all the variety of
animals from the earth, except the Chepewyans, who were produced from a
dog; and this circumstance occasions their aversion to the flesh of that
animal, as well as the people who eat it.  This extraordinary tradition
proceeds to relate, that the great bird, having finished his work, made
an arrow, which was to be preserved with great care, and to remain
untouched; but that the Chepewyans were so devoid of understanding, as
to carry it away; and the sacrilege so enraged the great bird, that he
has never since appeared.

They have also a tradition amongst them, that they originally came from
another country, inhabited by very wicked people, and had traversed a
great lake, which was narrow, shallow, and full of islands, where they
had suffered great misery, it being always winter, with ice and deep
snow.  At the Copper-Mine River, where they made the first land, the
ground was covered with copper, over which a body of earth had since
been collected, to the depth of a man's height.  They believe, also,
that in ancient times their ancestors lived till their feet were worn
out with walking, and their throats with eating.  They describe a
deluge, when the waters spread over the whole earth, except the highest
mountains, on the tops of which they preserved themselves.

They believe, that immediately after their death, they pass into another
world, where they arrive at a large river, on which they embark in a
stone canoe, and that a gentle current bears them on to an extensive
lake, in the centre of which is a most beautiful island; and that, in
the view of this delightful abode, they receive that judgment for their
conduct during life, which terminates their final state and unalterable
allotment.  If their good actions are declared to predominate, they are
landed upon the island, where there is to be no end to-their happiness;
which, however, according to their notions, consists in an eternal
enjoyment of sensual pleasure, and carnal gratification.  But if their
bad actions weigh down the balance, the stone canoe sinks at once, and
leaves them up to their chins in the water, to behold and regret the
reward enjoyed by the good, and eternally struggling, but with
unavailing endeavours, to reach the blissful island, from which they are
excluded for ever.

They have some faint notions of the transmigration of the soul; so that
if a child be born with teeth, they instantly imagine, from its
premature appearance, that it bears a resemblance to some person who had
lived to an advanced period, and that he has assumed a renovated life,
with these extraordinary tokens of maturity.

The Chepewyans are sober, timorous, and vagrant, with a selfish
disposition that has sometimes created suspicions of their integrity.
Their stature has nothing remarkable in it; but though they are seldom
corpulent, they are sometimes robust.  Their complexion is swarthy;
their features coarse, and their hair lank, but always of a dingy black;
nor have they universally the piercing eye, which generally animates the
Indian countenance.  The women have a more agreeable aspect than the
men, but their gait is awkward, which proceeds from their being
accustomed, nine months in the year, to travel on snow-shoes and drag
sledges of a weight from two to four hundred pounds.  They are very
submissive to their husbands, who have, however, their fits of jealousy;
and, for very trifling causes, treat them with such cruelty as sometimes
to occasion their death.  They are frequently objects of traffic; and
the father possesses the right of disposing of his daughter.[3] The men
in general extract their beards, though some of them are seen to prefer
a bushy black beard, to a smooth chin.  They cut their hair in various
forms, or leave it in a long, natural flow, according as their caprice
or fancy suggests.  The women always wear it in great length, and some
of them are very attentive to its arrangement.  If they at any time
appear despoiled of their tresses, it is to be esteemed a proof of the
husband's jealousy, and is considered as a severer punishment than
manual correction.  Both sexes have blue or black bars, or from one to
four straight lines on their cheeks or forehead, to distinguish the
tribe to which they belong.  These marks are either tattooed, or made by
drawing a thread, dipped in the necessary colour, beneath the skin.

There are no people more attentive to the comforts of their dress, or
less anxious respecting its exterior appearance.  In the winter it is
composed of the skins of deer, and their fawns, and dressed as fine as
any chamois leather, in the hair.  In the summer their apparel is the
same, except that it is prepared without the hair.  Their shoes and
leggins are sewed together, the latter reaching upwards to the middle,
and being supported by a belt, under which a small piece of leather is
drawn to cover the private parts, the ends of which fall down both
before and behind.  In the shoes they put the hair of the moose or
reindeer with additional pieces of leather as socks.  The shirt or coat,
when girted round the waist, reaches to the middle of the thigh, and the
mittens are sewed to the sleeves, or are suspended by strings from the
shoulders.  A ruff or tippet surrounds the neck, and the skin of the
head of the deer forms a curious kind of cap.  A robe, made of several
deer or fawn skins sewed together, covers the whole.  This dress is worn
single or double, but always in the winter, with the hair within and
without.  Thus arrayed a Chepewyan will lay himself down on the ice in
the middle of a lake, and repose in comfort; though he will sometimes
find a difficulty in the morning to disencumber himself from the snow
drifted on him during the night.  If in his passage he should be in want
of provision, he cuts a hole in the ice, when he seldom fails of taking
some trout or pike, whose eyes he instantly scoops out, and eats as a
great delicacy; but if they should not be sufficient to satisfy his
appetite, he will, in this necessity make his meal of the fish in its
raw state; but, those whom I saw, preferred to dress their victuals when
circumstances admitted the necessary preparation.  When they are in that
part of their country which does not produce a sufficient quantity of
wood for fuel, they are reduced to the same exigency, though they
generally dry their meat in the sun.[4]

The dress of the women differs from that of the men.  Their leggins are
tied below the knee; and their coat or shift is wide, hanging down to
the ankle, and is tucked up at pleasure by means of a belt, which is
fastened round the waist.  Those who have children have these garments
made very full about the shoulders, as when they are travelling they
carry their infants upon their backs, next their skin, in which
situation they are perfectly comfortable and in a position convenient to
be suckled.  Nor do they discontinue to give their milk to them till
they have another child.  Childbirth is not the object of that tender
care and serious attention among the savages as it is among civilized
people.  At this period no part of their usual occupation is omitted,
and this continual and regular exercise must contribute to the welfare
of the mother, both in the progress of parturition and in the moment of
delivery.  The women have a singular custom of cutting off a small piece
of the navel string of the new-born children, and hang it about their
necks: they are also curious in the covering they make for it, which
they decorate with porcupine's quills and beads.

Though the women are as much in the power of the men, as other articles
of their property, they are always consulted, and possess a very
considerable influence in the traffic with Europeans, and other
important concerns.

Plurality of wives is common among them, and the ceremony of marriage is
of a very simple nature.  The girls are betrothed at a very early period
to those whom the parents think the best able to support them: nor is
the inclination of the women considered.  Whenever a separation takes
place, which sometimes happens, it depends entirely on the will and
pleasure of the husband.  In common with the other Indians of this
country, they have a custom respecting the periodical state of a woman,
which is rigorously observed: at that time she must seclude herself from
society.  They are not even allowed in that situation to keep the same
path as the men, when travelling: and it is considered a great breach of
decency for a woman so circumstanced to touch any utensils of manly
occupation.  Such a circumstance is supposed to defile them, so that
their subsequent use would be followed by certain mischief or
misfortune.  There are particular skins which the women never touch, as
of the bear and wolf; and those animals the men are seldom known to
kill.

They are not remarkable for their activity as hunters, which is owing to
the ease with which they snare deer and spear fish: and these
occupations are not beyond the strength of their old men, women, and
boys: so that they participate in those laborious occupations, which
among their neighbours are confined to the women.  They make war on the
Esquimaux, who cannot resist their superior numbers, and put them to
death, as it is a principle with them never to make prisoners.  At the
same time they tamely submit to the Knisteneaux, who are not so numerous
as themselves, when they treat them as enemies.

They do not affect that cold reserve at meeting, either among themselves
or strangers, which is common with the Knisteneaux, but communicate
mutually, and at once, all the information of which they are possessed.
Nor are they roused like them from an apparent torpor to a state of
great activity.  They are consequently more uniform in this respect,
though they are of a very persevering disposition when their interest is
concerned.

As these people are not addicted to spirituous liquors, they have a
regular and uninterrupted use of their understanding, which is always
directed to the advancement of their own interest; and this disposition,
as may be readily imagined, sometimes occasions them to be charged with
fraudulent habits.  They will submit with patience to the severest
treatment, when they are conscious that they deserve it, but will never
forget or forgive any wanton or unnecessary rigour.  A moderate conduct
I never found to fail, nor do I hesitate to represent them, altogether,
as the most peaceable tribe of Indians known in North America.

There are conjurers and high-priests, but I was not present at any of
their ceremonies; though they certainly operate in an extraordinary
manner on the imaginations of the people in the cure of disorders.
Their principal maladies are, rheumatic pains, the flux and consumption.
The venereal complaint is very common; but though its progress is slow,
it gradually undermines the constitution, and brings on premature decay.
They have recourse to superstition for their cure, and charms are their
only remedies, except the bark of the willow, which being burned and
reduced to powder, is strewed upon green wounds and ulcers, and places
contrived for promoting perspiration.  Of the use of simples and plants
they have no knowledge; nor can it be expected, as their country does
not produce them.

Though they have enjoyed so long an intercourse with Europeans, their
country is so barren, as not to be capable of producing the ordinary
necessaries naturally introduced by such a communication and they
continue, in a great measure, their own inconvenient and awkward modes
of taking their game and preparing it when taken.  Sometimes they drive
the deer into the small lakes, where they spear them, or force them into
inclosures, where the bow and arrow are employed against them.  These
animals are also taken in snares made of skin.  In the former instance
the game is divided among those who have been engaged in the pursuit of
it.  In the latter it is considered as private property; nevertheless,
any unsuccessful hunter passing by, may take a deer so caught, leaving
the head, skin, and saddle for the owner.  Thus, though they have no
regular government, as every man is lord in his own family, they are
influenced, more or less, by certain principles which condone to their
general benefit.

In their quarrels with each other, they very rarely proceed to a greater
degree of violence than is occasioned by blows, wrestling, and pulling
of the hair, while their abusive language consists in applying the name
of the most offensive animal to the object of their displeasure, and
adding the term ugly, and chiay, or still-born.[5]

Their arms and domestic apparatus, in addition to the articles procured
from Europeans, are spears, bows, and arrows, fishing nets, and lines
made of green deer-skin thongs.  They have also nets for taking the
beaver as he endeavours to escape from his lodge when it is broken open.
It is set in a particular manner for the purpose, and a man is employed
to watch the moment when he enters the snare, or he would soon cut his
way through it.  He is then thrown upon the ice where he remains as if
he had no life in him.

The snow-shoes are of a very superior workmanship.  The inner part of
their frame is straight, the outer one is curved, and it is pointed at
both ends, with that in front turned up.  They are also laced with great
neatness with thongs made of deer-skin.  The sledges are formed of thin
slips of board turned up also in front, and are highly polished with
crooked knives, in order to slide along with facility.  Close-grained
wood is, on that account, the best; but theirs are made of the red or
swamp spruce-fir tree.

The country, which these people claim as their land, has a very small
quantity of earth, and produces little or no wood or herbage.  Its chief
vegetable substance is the moss, on which the deer feed; and a kind of
rock moss, which, in times of scarcity, preserves the lives of the
natives.  When boiled in water, it dissolves into a clammy, glutinous
substance, that affords a very sufficient nourishment.  But,
notwithstanding the barren state of their country, with proper care and
economy, these people might live in great comfort, for the lakes abound
in fish, and the hills are covered with deer.  Though, of all the Indian
people of this continent they are considered as the most provident, they
suffer severely at certain seasons, and particularly in the dead of
winter, when they are under the necessity of retiring to their scanty,
stinted woods.  To the Westward of them the musk-ox may be found, but
they have no dependence on it as an article of sustenance.  There are
also large hares, a few white wolves, peculiar to their country, and
several kinds of foxes, with white and grey partridges, etc.  The beaver
and moose-deer they do not find till they come within 60 degrees North
latitude; and the buffalo is still further South.  That animal is known
to frequent an higher latitude to the Westward of their country.  These
people bring pieces of beautiful variegated marble, which are found on
the surface of the earth.  It is easily worked, bears a fine polish, and
hardens with time; it endures heat, and is manufactured into pipes or
calumets, as they are very fond of smoking tobacco; a luxury which the
Europeans communicated to them.

Their amusements or recreations are but few.  Their music is so
inharmonious, and their dancing so awkward, that they might be supposed
to be ashamed of both, as they very seldom practise either.  They also
shoot at marks, and play at the games common among them; but in fact
they prefer sleeping to either; and the greater part of their time is
passed in procuring food, and resting from the toil necessary to obtain
it.  They are also of a querulous disposition, and are continually
making complaints; which they express by a constant repetition of the
word eduiy, "it is hard," in a whining and plaintive tone of voice.

They are superstitious in the extreme, and almost every action of their
lives, however trivial, is more or less influenced by some whimsical
notion.  I never observed that they had any particular form of religious
worship; but as they believe in a good and evil spirit, and a state of
future rewards and punishments, they cannot be devoid of religious
impressions.  At the same time they manifest a decided unwillingness to
make any communications on the subject.

The Chepewyans have been accused of abandoning their aged and infirm
people to perish, and of not burying their dead; but these are
melancholy necessities, which proceed from their wandering way of life.
They are by no means universal, for it is within my knowledge, that a
man, rendered helpless by the palsy, was carried about for many years,
with the greatest tenderness and attention, till he died a natural
death.  That they should not bury their dead in their own country,
cannot be imputed to them as a custom arising from a savage
insensibility, as they inhabit such high latitudes that the ground never
thaws; but it is well known, that when they are in the woods, they cover
their dead with trees.  Besides, they manifest no common respect to the
memory of their departed friends, by a long period of mourning, cutting
off their hair, and never making use of the property of the deceased.
Nay, they frequently destroy or sacrifice their own, as a token of
regret and sorrow.

If there be any people who, from the barren state of their country,
might be supposed to be cannibals by nature, these people, from the
difficulty they, at times, experience in procuring food, might be liable
to that imputation.  But, in all my knowledge of them, I never was
acquainted with one instance of that disposition; nor among all the
natives which I met with in a route of five thousand miles, did I see or
hear of an example of cannibalism, but such as arose from that
irresistible necessity, which has been known to impel even the most
civilized people to eat each other.


EXAMPLES OF THE CHEPEWYAN TONGUE

 Man                        Dinnie.
 Woman                      Chequois.
 Young man                  Quelaquis.
 Young woman                Quelaquis chequoi.
 My son                     Zi azay.
 My daughter                Zi lengai.
 My husband                 Zi dinnie.
 My wife                    Zi zayunai.
 My brother                 Zi raing.
 My father                  Zi tah.
 My mother                  Zi nah.
 My grandfather             Zi unai.
 Me, or my                  See.
 I                          Ne.
 You                        Nun.
 They                       Be.
 Head                       Edthie.
 Hand                       Law.
 Leg                        Edthen.
 Foot                       Cuh.
 Eyes                       Nackhay.
 Teeth                      Goo.
 Side                       Kac-hey.
 Belly                      Bitt.
 Tongue                     Edthu.
 Hair                       Thiegah.
 Back                       Losseh.
 Blood                      Dell.
 The Knee                   Cha-gutt.
 Clothes or Blanket         Etlunay.
 Coat                       Eeh.
 Leggin                     Thell.
 Shoes                      Kinchee.
 Robe or Blanket            Thuth.
 Sleeves                    Bah.
 Mittens                    Geese.
 Cap                        Sah.
 Swan                       Kagouce.
 Duck                       Keth.
 Goose                      Gah.
 White partridge            Cass bah.
 Grey partridge             Deyee.
 Buffalo                    Giddy.
 Moose deer                 Dinyai.
 Rein deer                  Edthun.
 Beaver                     Zah.
 Bear                       Zass.
 Otter                      Gaby-ai.
 Martin                     Thah.
 Wolverine                  Naguiyai.
 Wolf                       Yess (Nouhoay).
 Fox                        Naguethey.
 Hare                       Cah.
 Dog                        Sliengh.
 Beaver-skin                Zah thah.
 Otter skin                 Naby-ai thith.
 Moose-skin                 Deny-ai thith.
 Fat                        Icah.
 Grease                     Thless.
 Meet                       Bid.
 Pike                       Uldiah.
 White-fish                 Slouey.
 Trout                      Slouey zinai.
 Pickerel                   G'Gah.
 Fish-hook                  Ge-eth.
 Fish-line                  Clulez.
 One                        Slachy.
 Two                        Naghur.
 Three                      Tagh-y.
 Four                       Dengk-y.
 Five                       Sasoulachee.
 Six                        Alki tar-hy-y.
 Seven
 Eight                      Alki deing-hy.
 Nine                       Cakina hanoth-na.
 Ten                        Ca noth na.
 Twenty                     Na ghur cha noth na.
 Fire                       Coun.
 Water                      Toue.
 Wood                       Dethkin.
 Ice                        Thun.
 Snow                       Yath.
 Rain                       Thinnelsee.
 Lake                       Touey.
 River                      Tesse.
 Mountain                   Zeth.
 Stone                      Thaih.
 Berries                    Gui-eh.
 Hot                        Edowh.
 Cold                       Edzah.
 Island                     Nouey.
 Gun                        Telkithy,
 Powder                     Telkithy counna.
 Knife                      Bess.
 Axe                        Thynle.
 Sun
 Moon                       Sah.
 Red                        Deli couse.
 Black                      Dell zin.
 Trade, or barter           Na-houn-ny.
 Good                       Leyzong.
 Not good                   Leyzong houlley.
 Stinking                   Geddey.
 Bad, ugly                  Slieney.
 Long since                 Galladinna.
 Now, today                 Ganneh.
 Tomorrow                   Gambeh.
 By-and-bye, or presently   Garehoulleh.
 House, or lodge            Cooen.
 Canoe                      Shaluzee.
 Door                       The o ball.
 Leather-lodge              N'abalay.
 Chief                      Buchahudry.
 Mine                       Zidzy.
 His                        Bedzy.
 Yours                      Nuntzy.
 Large                      Unshaw.
 Small, or little           Chautah,
 I love you                 Ba eioinichdinh.
 I hate you                 Bucnoinichadinh hillay.
 I am to be pitied          Est-chounest-hinay.
 My relation                Sy lod, innay.
 Give me water              Too hanniltu.
 Give me meat               Beds-hanniltu.
 Give me fish               Sloeeh anneltu.
 Give me meat to eat        Bid Barheether.
 Give me water to drink     To Barhithen.
 It is far off              Netha uzany,
 Is it not far              Nilduay uzany.
 It is near                 Nitha-hillai.
 How many                   Nilduay.
 What call you him, or that Etlaneldey.
 Come here                  Etla houllia
 Pain, or suffering         Yeu dessay.
 It's hard                  I-yah.
 You lie                    Untzee.
 What then                   Eldaw-gueh.


[1] Those of them who come to trade with us, do not exceed eight hundred
men, and have a smattering of the Knisteneau tongue, in which they carry
on their dealings with us.

[2] The coast is inhabited on the North-West by the Eskimaux, and on the
Pacific Ocean by a people different from both.

[3] They do not, however, sell them as slaves, but as companions to
those who are supposed to live more comfortably than themselves.

[4] The provision called pemmican, on which the Chepewyans, as well as
the other savages of this country, chiefly subsist in their journeys, is
prepared in the following manner: The lean parts of the flesh of the
larger animals are cut in thin slices, and are placed on a wooden grate
over a slow fire, or exposed to the sun, and sometimes to the frost.
These operations dry it, and in that state it is pounded between two
stones; it will then keep with care for several years.  If, however, it
is kept in large quantities, it is disposed to ferment in the spring of
the year, when it must be exposed to the air, or it will soon decay.
The inside fat, and that of the rump, which is much thicker in these
wild than our domestic animals, is melted down and mixed, in a boiling
state with the pounded meat, in equal proportions: it is then put in
baskets or bags for the convenience of carrying it.  Thus it becomes a
nutritious food, and is eaten, without any further preparation, or the
addition of spice, salt, or any vegetable or farinaceous substance.  A
little time reconciles it to the palate.  There is another sort made
with the addition of marrow and dried berries, which is of a superior
quality.

[5] This name is also applicable to the foetus of an animal, when
killed, which is considered as one of the greatest delicacies.




JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE, &c.


CHAPTER I.


JUNE, 1789.

_Wednesday, 3._--We embarked at nine in the morning, at
Fort Chepewyan, on the South side of the Lake of the Hills, in latitude
58. 40. North, and longitude 110. 30. West from Greenwich, and compass
has sixteen degrees variation East, in a canoe made of birch bark.  The
crew consisted of four Canadians, two of whom were attended by their
wives, and a German; we were accompanied also by an Indian, who had
acquired the title of English Chief, and his two wives, in a small
canoe, with two young Indians; his followers in another small canoe.
These men were engaged to serve us in the twofold capacity of
interpreters and hunters.  This chief has been a principal leader of his
countrymen who were in the habit of carrying furs to Churchill Factory,
Hudson's Bay, and till of late very much attached to the interest of
that company.  These circumstances procured him the appellation of the
English Chief.

We were also accompanied by a canoe that I had equipped for the purpose
of trade, and given the charge of it to M. Le Roux, one of the Company's
clerks.  In this I was obliged to ship part of our provision; which,
with the clothing necessary for us on the voyage, a proper assortment of
the articles of merchandise as presents, to ensure us a friendly
reception among the Indians, and the ammunition and arms requisite for
defence, as well as a supply for our hunters, were more than our own
canoe could carry, but by the time we should part company, there was
every reason to suppose that our expenditure would make sufficient room
for the whole.

We proceeded twenty-one miles to the West, and then took a course of
nine miles to North-North-West, when we entered the river, or one of the
branches of the lake, of which there are several.  We then steered North
five miles, when our course changed for two miles to North-North-East,
and here at seven in the evening we landed and pitched our tents.  One
of the hunters killed a goose, and a couple of ducks: at the same time
the canoe was taken out of the water, to be gummed, which necessary
business was effectually performed.


_Thursday, 4._--We embarked at four this morning, and proceeded
North-North-East half a mile, North one mile and a half, West two miles,
North-West two miles, West-North-West one mile and a half,
North-North-West half a mile, and West-North-West two miles, when this
branch loses itself in the Peace River.  It is remarkable, that the
currents of these various branches of the lake, when the Peace River is
high, as in May and August, run into the lake, which, in the other
months of the year returns its waters to them; whence, to this place,
the branch is not more than two hundred yards wide, nor less than an
hundred and twenty.  The banks are rather low, except in one place,
where an huge rock rises above them, The low land is covered with wood,
such as white birch, pines of different kinds, with the poplar, three
kinds of willow, and the liard.

The Peace River is upwards of a mile broad at this spot, and its current
is stronger than that of the channel which communicates with the lake.
It here, indeed, assumes the name of the Slave River.[1] The course of
this day was as follows:--North-West two miles, North-North-West,
through islands, six miles, North four miles and a half, North by East
two miles, West by North six miles, North one mile, North-East by East
two miles, North one mile.  We now descended a rapid, and proceeded
North-West seven miles and a half, North-West nine miles, North by West
six miles, North-West by West one mile and a half, North-West by North
half a mile, North-North-West six miles, North one mile, North-West by
West four miles, North-North-East one mile.  Here we arrived at the
mouth of the Dog River, where we landed, and unloaded our canoes, at
half past seven in the evening, on the East side, and close by the
rapids.  At this station the river is near two leagues in breadth.


_Friday, 5._--At three o'clock in the morning we embarked, but
unloaded our canoes at the first rapid.  When we had reloaded, we
entered a small channel, which is formed by the islands, and, in about
half an hour, we came to the carrying-place It is three hundred and
eighty paces in length, and very commodious, except at the further end
of it.  We found some difficulty in reloading at this spot, from the
large quantity of ice which had not yet thawed.  From hence to the next
carrying-place, called the _Portage d'Embarras_, is about six miles, and
is occasioned by the drift wood filling up the small channel, which is
one thousand and twenty paces in length; from hence to the next is one
mile and a half, while the distance to that which succeeds, does not
exceed one hundred and fifty yards.  It is about the same length as the
last; and from hence to the carrying-place called the Mountain, is about
four miles further; when we entered the great river.  The smaller one,
or the channel, affords by far the best passage, as it is without hazard
of any kind; though I believe a shorter course would be found on the
outside of the islands, and without so many carrying-places.  That
called the Mountain is three hundred and thirty-five paces in length;
from thence to the next, named the Pelican, there is about a mile of
dangerous rapids.  The landing is very steep, and close to the fall.
The length of this carrying-place is eight hundred and twenty paces.

The whole of the party were now employed in taking the baggage and the
canoe up the hill.  One of the Indian canoes went down the fall, and was
dashed to pieces.  The woman who had the management of it, by quitting
it in time, preserved her life, though she lost the little property it
contained.

The course from the place we quitted in the morning is about North-West,
and comprehends a distance of fifteen miles.  From hence to the next and
last carrying-place, is about nine miles; in which distance there are
three rapids: course North-West by West.  The carrying path is very bad,
and five hundred and thirty-five paces in length.  Our canoes being
lightened, passed on the outside of the opposite island, which rendered
the carrying of the baggage very short indeed, being not more than the
length of a canoe.  In the year 1786, five men were drowned, and two
canoes and some packages lost, in the rapids on the other side of the
river, which occasioned this place to be called the _Portage des Noyes_.
They were proceeding to the Slave Lake, in the fall of that year, under
the direction of Mr. Cuthbert Grant.  We proceeded from hence six miles,
and encamped on Point de Roche, at half past five in the afternoon.  The
men and Indians were very much fatigued; but the hunters had provided
seven geese, a beaver, and four ducks.


_Saturday, 6._--We embarked at half past two in the morning, and
steered North-West by North twenty-one miles, North-West by West five
miles, West-North-West four miles, West six miles, doubled a point
North-North-East one mile, East five miles, North two miles, North-West
by North one mile and a half, West-North-West three miles, North-East by
East two miles; doubled a point one mile and a half, West by North nine
miles, North-West by West six miles, North-North-West five miles; here
we landed at six o'clock in the evening, unloaded, and encamped.  Nets
were also set in a small adjacent river.  We had an head wind during the
greater part of the day and the weather was become so cold that the
Indians were obliged to make use of their mittens.  In this day's
progress we killed seven geese and six ducks.


_Sunday, 7._--At half past three we renewed our voyage, and proceeded
West-North-West one mile, round an island one mile, North-West two miles
and a half, South by West three miles, West-South-West one mile,
South-West by South half a mile, North-West three miles, West-North-West
three miles and a half, North seven miles and a half, North-West by
North four miles, North two miles and a half, North-West by North two
miles.  The rain, which had prevailed for some time, now came on with
such violence, that we were obliged to land and unload, to prevent the
goods and baggage from getting wet; the weather, however, soon cleared
up, so that we reloaded the canoe, and got under way.  We now continued
our course North ten miles, West one mile and a half, and North one mile
and a half, when the rain came on again, and rendered it absolutely
necessary for us to get on shore for the night, at about half past
three.  We had a strong North-North-East wind throughout the day, which
greatly impeded us; M. Le Roux, however, with his party, passed on in
search of a landing place more agreeable to them.  The Indians killed a
couple of geese, and as many ducks.  The rain continued through the
remaining part of the day.


_Monday, 8._--The night was very boisterous, and the rain did not
cease till two in the afternoon of this day; but as the wind did not
abate of its violence, we were prevented from proceeding till the
morrow.


_Tuesday, 9._--We embarked at half past two in the morning, the
weather being calm and foggy.  Soon after our two young men joined us,
whom we had not seen for two days; but during their absence they had
killed four beavers and ten geese.  After a course of one mile
North-West by North, we observed an opening on the right, which we took
for a fork of the river, but it proved to be a lake.  We returned and
steered South-West by West one mile and a half, West-South-West one mile
and a half, West one mile, when we entered a very small branch of the
river on the East bank; at the mouth of which I was informed there had
been a carrying-place, owing to the quantity of drift wood, which then
filled up the passage, but has since been carried away.  The course of
this river is meandering, and tends to the North, and in about ten miles
falls into the Slave Lake, where we arrived at nine in the morning, when
we found a great change in the weather, as it was become extremely cold.
The lake was entirely covered with ice, and did not seem in any degree
to have given way, but near the shore.  The gnats and mosquitoes, which
were very troublesome during our passage along the river, did not
venture to accompany us to this colder region.

The banks of the river both above and below the rapids, were on both
sides covered with the various kinds of wood common to this country,
particularly the Western side; the land being lower and consisting of a
rich black soil.  This artificial ground is carried down by the stream,
and rests upon drift wood, so as to be eight or ten feet deep.  The
eastern banks are more elevated, and the soil a yellow clay mixed with
gravel; so that the trees are neither so large or numerous as on the
opposite shore.  The ground was not thawed above fourteen inches in
depth; notwithstanding the leaf was at its full growth; while along the
lake there was scarcely any appearance of verdure.

The Indians informed me, that, at a very small distance from either bank
of the river, are very extensive plains, frequented by large herds of
buffaloes; while the moose and rein-deer keep in the woods that border
on it.  The beavers, which are in great numbers, build their habitations
in the small lakes and rivers, as, in the larger streams, the ice
carries every thing along with it, during the spring.  The mud-banks in
the river are covered with wild fowl; and we this morning killed two
swans, ten geese, and one beaver, without suffering the delay of an
hour; so that we might have soon filled the canoe with them, if that had
been our object.

From the small river we steered East, along the inside of a long
sand-bank, covered with drift wood and enlivened by a few willows, which
stretches on as far as the houses erected by Messrs. Grant and Le Roux,
in 1786.  We often ran aground, as for five successive miles the depth
of the water nowhere exceeded three feet.  There we found our people,
who had arrived early in the morning, and whom we had not seen since the
preceding Sunday.  We now unloaded the canoe, and pitched our tents, as
there was every appearance that we should be obliged to remain here for
some time.  I then ordered the nets to be set, as it was absolutely
necessary that the stores provided for our future voyage should remain
untouched.  The fish we now caught were carp, poisson inconnu, white
fish, and trout.


_Wednesday, 10._--It rained during the greatest part of the preceding
night, and the weather did not clear up till the afternoon of this day.
This circumstance had very much weakened the ice, and I sent two of the
Indians on an hunting party to a lake at the distance of nine miles,
which, they informed me, was frequented by animals of various kinds.
Our fishery this day was not so abundant as it had been on the preceding
afternoon.


_Thursday, 11._--The weather was fine and clear with a strong westerly
wind.  The women were employed in gathering berries of different sorts,
of which there are a great plenty; and I accompanied one of my people to
a small adjacent island, where we picked up some dozens of swan, geese,
and duck-eggs; we also killed a couple of ducks and a goose.

In the evening the Indians returned, without having seen any of the
larger animals.  A swan and a grey crane were the only fruits of their
expedition.  We caught no other fish but a small quantity of pike, which
is too common to be a favourite food with the people of the country, The
ice moved a little to the eastward.


_Friday, 12._--The weather continued the same as yesterday, and the
mosquitoes began to visit us in great numbers.  The ice moved again in
the same direction, and I ascended an hill, but could not perceive that
it was broken in the middle of the lake.  The hunters killed a goose and
three ducks.


_Saturday, 13._--The weather was cloudy, and the wind changeable
till about sunset, when it settled in the North.  It drove back the ice
which was now very much broken along the shore, and covered our nets.
One of the hunters who had been at the Slave River the preceding
evening, returned with three beavers and fourteen geese.  He was
accompanied by three families of Indians, who left Athabasca the same
day as myself: they did not bring me any fowl; and they pleaded in
excuse, that they had travelled with so much expedition, as to prevent
them from procuring sufficient provisions for themselves.  By a meridian
line, I found the variation of the compass to be about twenty degrees
East.


_Sunday, 14._--The weather was clear and the wind remained in the same
quarter.  The ice was much broken, and driven to the side of the lake,
so that we were apprehensive for the loss of our nets, as they could
not, at present, be extricated.  At sunset there was an appearance of a
violent gust of wind from the southward, as the sky became on a sudden,
in that quarter, of a very dusky blue colour, and the lightning was very
frequent.  But instead of wind there came on a very heavy rain, which
promised to diminish the quantity of broken ice.


_Monday, 15._--In the morning, the bay still continued to be so full
of ice, that we could not get at our nets.  About noon, the wind veered
to the Westward, and not only uncovered the nets, but cleared a passage
to the opposite islands.  When we raised the nets we found them very
much shattered, and but few fish taken.  We now struck our tents, and
embarked at sunset, when we made the traverse, which was about eight
miles North-East by North, in about two hours.  At half-past eleven
P. M. we landed on a small island and proceeded to gum the canoe.  At
this time the atmosphere was sufficiently clear to admit of reading or
writing without the aid of artificial light.  We had not seen a star
since the second day after we left Athabasca.  About twelve o'clock, the
moon made its appearance above the tops of the trees, the lower horn
being in a state of eclipse, which continued for about six minutes, in a
cloudless sky.

I took soundings three times in the course of the traverse, when I found
six fathoms water, with a muddy bottom.


_Tuesday, 16._--We were prevented from embarking this morning by
a very strong wind from the North, and the vast quantity of floating
ice.  Some trout were caught with the hook and line, but the net was not
so successful.  I had an observation which gave 61. 28. North latitude.

The wind becoming moderate, we embarked about one, taking a North-West
course, through islands of ten miles, in which we took in a considerable
quantity of water.  After making several traverses, we landed at five
P. M., and having pitched our tents, the hooks, lines, and nets were
immediately set.  During the course of the day there was occasional
thunder.


_Wednesday, 17._--We proceeded, and taking up our nets as we passed,
we found no more than seventeen fish, and were stopped within a mile by
the ice.  The Indians, however, brought us back to a point where our
fishery was very successful.  They proceeded also on a hunting party, as
well as to discover a passage among the islands; but at three in the
afternoon they returned without having succeeded in either object.  We
were, however, in expectation, that, as the wind blew very strong, it
would force a passage.  About sunset, the weather became overcast, with
thunder, lightning, and rain.


_Thursday, 18._--The nets were taken up at four this morning with
abundance of fish, and we steered North-West four miles, where the ice
again prevented our progress.  A South-East wind drove it among the
islands, in such a manner as to impede our passage, and we could
perceive at some distance ahead, that it was but little broken.  We now
set our nets in four fathom water.  Two of our hunters had killed a
rein-deer and its fawn.  They had met with two Indian families, and in
the evening, a man belonging to one of them, paid us a visit; he
informed me, that the ice had not, stirred on the side of the island
opposite to us.  These people live entirely on fish, and were waiting to
cross the lake as soon as it should be clear of ice.


_Friday, 19._--This morning our nets were unproductive, as they
yielded us no more than six fish, which were of a very bad kind.  In the
forenoon, the Indians proceeded to the large island opposite to us, in
search of game.  The weather was cloudy, and the wind changeable; at the
same time, we were pestered by mosquitoes, though, in a great measure,
surrounded with ice.


_Saturday, 20._--We took up our nets, but without any fish.  It rained
very hard during the night and this morning: nevertheless, M. Le Roux
and his people went back to the point which we had quitted on the 18th,
but I did not think it prudent to move.  As I was watching for a passage
through the ice, I promised to send for them when I could obtain it.  It
rained at intervals till about five o'clock; when we loaded our canoe,
and steered for the large island, West six miles.  When we came to the
point of it, we found a great quantity of ice; we, however, set our
nets, and soon caught plenty of fish.  In our way thither we met our
hunters, but they had taken nothing.  I took soundings at an hundred
yards from the island, when we were in twenty-one fathom water.  Here we
found abundance of cranberries and small spring onions.  I now
despatched two men for M.  Le Roux, and his people.


_Sunday, 21._--A Southerly wind blew through the night, and drove the
ice to the Northward.  The two men whom I had sent to M. Le Roux,
returned at eight this morning; they parted with him at a small distance
from us, but the wind blew so hard, that he was obliged to put to shore.
Having a glimpse of the sun, when it was twelve by my watch, I found the
latitude 61. 34. North latitude. At two in the afternoon, M. Le Roux and
his people arrived.  At five, the ice being almost all driven past to
the Northward, we accordingly embarked, and steered West fifteen miles,
through much broken ice, and on the outside of the islands, though it
appeared to be very solid to the North-East.  I sounded three times in
this distance, and found it seventy-five, forty-four, and sixty fathom
water.  We pitched our tents on one of a cluster of small islands that
were within three miles of the main land, which we could not reach in
consequence of the ice.

We saw some rein-deer on one of these islands, and our hunters went in
pursuit of them, when they killed five large and two small ones, which
was easily accomplished, as the animals had no shelter to which they
could run for protection.  They had, without doubt, crossed the ice to
this spot, and the thaw coming on had detained them there, and made them
an easy prey to the pursuer.  This island was accordingly named Isle de
Carreboeuf.

I sat up the whole of this night to observe the setting and rising of
the sun.  That orb was beneath the horizon four hours twenty-two
minutes, and rose North 20. East by compass.  It, however, froze so
hard, that, during the sun's disappearance, the water was covered with
ice half a quarter of an inch thick.


_Monday, 22._--We embarked at half past three in the morning, and
rounding the outside of the islands, steered North-West thirteen miles
along the ice, edging in for the main land, the wind West, then West two
miles; but it blew so hard as to oblige us to land on an island at half
past nine, from whence we could just distinguish land to the South-East,
at the distance of about twelve leagues; though we could not determine
whether it was a continuation of the islands, or the shores of the
lake.[2] I took an observation at noon, which gave me 61. 53. North,
the variation of the compass being, at the same time, about two points.
M. Le Roux's people having provided two bags of _pemmican_.[3] to be
left in the island against their return; it was called _Isle a la
Cache_.

The wind being moderated, we proceeded again at half past two in the
afternoon, and steering West by North among the islands, made as course
of eighteen miles.  We encamped at eight o'clock on a small island, and
since eight in the morning had not passed any ice.  Though the weather
was far from being warm, we were tormented, and our rest interrupted, by
the host of mosquitoes that accompanied us.


[1] The Slave Indians, having been driven from their original country by
their enemies, the Knisteneaux, along the borders of this part of the
river, it received that title, though it by no means involves the idea
of servitude, but was given to these fugitives as a term of reproach,
that denoted more than common savageness.

[2] Sometimes the land looms, so that there may be a great deception as
to the distance; and I think this was the case at present.

[3] Flesh dried in the sun, and afterwards pounded for the convenience
of carriage.




CHAPTER II.


JUNE, 1789.

_Tuesday, 23._--Towards morning, the Indians who had not been able to
keep up with us the preceding day, now joined us, and brought two swans
and a goose.  At half past three we re-embarked, and steering West by
North a mile and and half, with a Northerly wind, we came to the foot of
a traverse across a deep bay, West five miles, which receives a
considerable river at the bottom of it; the distance about twelve miles.
The North-West side of the bay was covered with many small islands that
were surrounded with ice; but the wind driving it a little off the land,
we had a clear passage on the inside of them.  We steered South-West
nine miles under sail, then North-West nearly, through the islands,
forming a course of sixteen miles.  We landed on the main land at half
past two in the afternoon at three lodges of Red-Knife Indians, so
called from their copper knives.  They informed us, that there were many
more lodges of their friends at no great distance; and one of the
Indians set off to fetch them: they also said, that we should see no
more of them at present; as the Slave and Beaver Indians, as well as
others of the tribe, would not be here till the time that the swans cast
their feathers.  In the afternoon it rained a torrent.


_Wednesday, 24._--M. Le Roux purchased of these Indians upwards of
eight packs of good beaver and marten skins; and there were not above
twelve of them qualified to kill beaver.  The English chief got upwards
of an hundred skins on the score of debts due to him, of which he had
many outstanding in this country.  Forty of them he gave on account of
debts due by him since the winters of 1786 and 1787, at the Slave Lake;
the rest he exchanged for rum and other necessary articles; and I added
a small quantity of that liquor as an encouraging present to him and his
young men.  I had several consultations with these Copper Indian people,
but could obtain no information that was material to our expedition; nor
were they acquainted with any part of the river, which was the object of
my research, but the mouth of it.  In order to save as much time as
possible in circumnavigating the bays, I engaged one of the Indians to
conduct us; and I accordingly equipped him with various articles of
clothing, etc.  I also purchased a large new canoe, that he might embark
with the two young Indians in my service.

This day, at noon, I took an observation, which gave me 62. 24. North
latitude; the variation of the compass being about twenty-six or
twenty-seven degrees to the East.

In the afternoon I assembled the Indians, in order to inform them that I
should take my departure on the following day; but that people would
remain on the spot till their countrymen, whom they had mentioned,
should arrive; and that, if they brought a sufficient quantity of skins
to make it answer, the Canadians would return for more goods, with a
view to winter here, and build a fort,[1] which would be continued as
long as they should be found to deserve it.  They assured me that it
would be a great encouragement to them to have a settlement of ours in
their country; and that they should exert themselves to the utmost to
kill beaver, as they would then be certain of getting an adequate value
for them.  Hitherto, they said, the Chepewyans always pillaged them; or,
at most, gave little or nothing for the fruits of their labour, which
had greatly discouraged them; and that, in consequence of this
treatment, they had no motive to pursue the beaver, but to obtain a
sufficient quantity of food and raiment.

I now wrote to Messrs. Macleod and Mackenzie, and addressed my papers to
the former, at Athabasca.


_Thursday, 25._--We left this place at three this morning, our canoe
being deeply laden, as we had embarked some packages that had come in
the canoes of M. Le Roux.  We were saluted on our departure with some
volleys of small arms, which we returned, and steered South by West
straight across the bay, which is here no more than two miles and a half
broad, but, from the accounts of the natives, it is fifteen leagues in
depth, with a much greater breadth in several parts, and full of
islands.  I sounded in the course of the traverse and found six fathoms
with a sandy bottom.  Here, the land has a very different appearance
from that on which we have been since we entered the lake.  Till we
arrived here there was one continued view of high hills and islands of
solid rock, whose surface was occasionally enlivened with moss, shrubs,
and a few scattered trees, of a very stinted growth, from an
insufficiency of soil to nourish them.  But, notwithstanding their
barren appearance, almost every part of them produces berries of various
kinds, such as cranberries, juniper berries, raspberries, partridge
berries, gooseberries, and the pathegomenan, which is something like a
raspberry; it grows on a small stalk about a foot and a half high, in
wet, mossy spots.  These fruits are in great abundance, though they are
not to be found in the same places, but in situations and aspects suited
to their peculiar natures.

The land which borders the lake in this part is loose and sandy, but is
well covered with wood, composed of trees of a larger growth: it
gradually rises from the shore, and at some distance forms a ridge of
high land running along the coast, thick with wood and a rocky summit
rising above it.

We steered South-South-East nine miles, when we were very much
interrupted by drifting ice, and with some difficulty reached an island,
where we landed at seven.  I immediately proceeded to the further part
of it, in order to discover if there was any probability of our being
able to get from thence in the course of the day.  It is about five
miles in circumference, and I was very much surprised to find that the
greater part of the wood with which it was formerly covered, had been
cut down within twelve or fifteen years, and that the remaining stumps
were become altogether rotten.  On making inquiry concerning the cause
of this extraordinary circumstance, the English chief informed me, that
several winters ago, many of the Slave Indians inhabited the islands
that were scattered over the bay, as the surrounding waters abound with
fish throughout the year, but that they had been driven away by the
Knisteneaux, who continually made war upon them.  If an establishment is
to be made in this country, it must be in the neighbourhood of this
place, on account of the wood and fishery.

At eleven we ventured to re-embark, as the wind had driven the greatest
part of the ice past the island, though we still had to encounter some
broken pieces of it, which threatened to damage our canoe.  We steered
South-East from point to point across five bays, twenty-one miles.  We
took soundings several times, and found from six to ten fathom water.  I
observed that the country gradually descended inland, and was still
better covered with wood than in the higher parts.--Wherever we
approached the land, we perceived deserted lodges, The hunters killed
two swans and a beaver; and at length we landed at eight o'clock in the
evening, when we unloaded and gummed our canoe.


_Friday, 26._--We continued our route at five o'clock, steering
South-East for ten miles across two deep bays; then South-South-East,
with islands in sight to the Eastward.  We then traversed another bay in
a course of three miles, then South one mile to a point which we named
the Detour, and South-South-West four miles and an half, when there was
an heavy swell of the lake.  Here I took an observation, when we were in
61. 40. North latitude We then proceeded South-West four miles, and
West-South-West among islands: on one of which our Indians killed two
rein-deer, but we lost three hours aft wind in going for them: this
course was nine miles.  About seven in the evening we were obliged to
land for the night, as the wind became too strong from the South-East.
We thought we could observe land in this direction when the wind was
coming on from some distance.  On the other side of the Detour, the land
is low, and the shore is flat and dangerous, there being no safe place
to land in bad weather, except in the islands which we had just passed.
There seemed to be plenty of moose and rein-deer in this country, as we
saw their tracks wherever we landed.  There are also great numbers of
white partridges, which were at this season of a grey colour, like that
of the moor-fowl.  There was some floating ice in the lake, and the
Indians killed a couple of swans.


_Saturday, 27._--At three this morning we were in the canoe, after
having passed a very restless night from the persecution of the
mosquitoes The weather was fine and calm, and our course West-South-West
nine miles, when we came to the foot of a traverse, the opposite point
in sight bearing South-West, distance twelve miles.  The bay is at least
eight miles deep, and this course two miles more, in all ten miles.  It
now became very foggy, and as the bays were so numerous, we landed for
two hours, when the weather cleared up, and we took the advantage of
steering South thirteen miles, and passed several small bays, when we
came to the point of a very deep one, whose extremity was not
discernible; the land bearing South from us, at the distance of about
ten miles.  Our guide not having been here for eight winters, was at a
loss what course to take, though as well as he could recollect, this bay
appeared to be the entrance of the river.  Accordingly, we steered down
it, about West-South-West, till we were involved in a field of broken
ice.  We still could not discover the bottom of the bay, and a fog
coming on, made it very difficult for us to get to an island to the
South-West, and it was nearly dark when we effected a landing.


_Sunday, 28._--At a quarter past three we were again on the water, and
as we could perceive no current setting into this bay, we made the best
of our way to the point that bore South from us yesterday afternoon.  We
continued our course South three miles more, South by West seven miles,
West fifteen miles, when by observation we were in 61 degrees North
latitude; we then proceeded West-North-West two miles.  Here we came to
the foot of a traverse, the opposite land bearing South-West, distance
fourteen miles, when we steered into a deep bay, about a westerly
course; and though we had no land ahead in sight, we indulged the hope
of finding a passage, which, according to the Indian, would conduct us
to the entrance of the river.

Having a strong wind aft, we lost sight of the Indians, nor could we put
on shore to wait for them, without risking material damage to the canoe,
till we ran to the bottom of the bay, and were forced among the rushes;
when we discovered that there was no passage there.  In about two or
three hours they joined us, but would not approach our fire, as there
was no good ground for an encampment: they emptied their canoe of the
water which it had taken in, and continued their route, but did not
encamp till sunset The English chief was very much irritated against the
Red-Knife Indian, and even threatened to murder him, for having
undertaken to guide us in a course of which he was ignorant, nor had we
any reason to be satisfied with him, though he still continued to
encourage us, by declaring that he recollected having passed from the
river, through the woods, to the place where he had landed.  In the
blowing weather to-day, we were obliged to make use of our large kettle,
to keep our canoe from filling, although we did not carry above three
feet sail.  The Indians very narrowly escaped.


_Monday, 29._--We embarked at four this morning, and steered along the
South-West side of the bay.  At half past five we reached the extremity
of the point, which we doubled, and found it to be the branch or passage
that was the object of our search, and occasioned by a very long island,
which separates it from the main channel of the river.  It is about half
a mile across, and not more than six feet in depth; the water appeared
to abound in fish, and was covered with fowl, such as swans, geese, and
several kinds of ducks, particularly black ducks, that were very
numerous, but we could not get within gun shot of them.

The current, though not very strong, set us South-West by West, and we
followed this course fourteen miles, till we passed the point of the
long island, where the Slave Lake discharges itself, and is ten miles in
breadth.  There is not more than from five to two fathom water, so that
when the lake is low, it may be presumed the greatest part of this
channel must be dry.  The river now turns to the Westward, becoming
gradually narrower for twenty-four miles, till it is not more than half
a mile wide; the current, however, is then much stronger, and the
sounding were three fathom and a half.  The land on the North shore from
the lake is low, and covered with trees; that to the South is much
higher, and has also an abundance of wood.  The current is very strong,
and the banks are of an equal height on both sides, consisting of a
yellow clay, mixed with small stones; they are covered with large
quantities of burned wood, lying on the ground, and young poplar trees,
that have sprung up since the fire that destroyed the larger wood.  It
is a very curious and extraordinary circumstance, that land covered with
spruce pine, and white birch, when laid waste by fire, should
subsequently produce nothing but poplars, where none of that species of
tree were previously to be found.

A stiff breeze from the Eastward drove us on at a great rate under sail,
in the same course, though obliged to wind among the islands.  We kept
the North channel for about ten miles, whose current is much stronger
than that of the South; so that the latter is consequently the better
road to come up.  Here the river widened, and the wind dying away, we
had recourse to our paddles.  We kept our course to the North-West, on
the North side of the river, which is here much wider, and assumes the
form of a small lake; we could not, however, discover an opening in any
direction, so that we were at a loss what course to take, as our
Red-Knife Indian had never explored beyond our present situation.  He at
the same time informed us that a river falls in from the North, which
takes its rise in the Horn Mountain, now in sight, which is the country
of the Beaver Indians; and that he and his relations frequently meet on
that river.  He also added, that there are very extensive plains on both
sides of it, which abound in buffaloes and moose deer.

By keeping this course, we got into shallows, so that we were forced to
steer to the left, till we recovered deep water, which we followed till
the channel of the river opened on us to the southward, we now made for
the shore, and encamped soon after sunset.  Our course ought to have
been West fifteen miles, since we took to the paddle, the Horn Mountains
bearing from us North-West, and running North-North-East and South-South
West.  Our soundings, which were frequent during the course of the day,
were from three to six fathoms water.  The hunters killed two geese and
a swan: it appeared, indeed, that great numbers of fowls breed in the
islands which we had passed.


_Tuesday, 30._--At four this morning we got under way, the weather
being fine and calm.  Our course was South-West by South thirty-six
miles.  On the South side of the river is a ridge of low mountains,
running East and West by compass.  The Indians picked up a white goose,
which appeared to have been lately shot with an arrow, and was quite
fresh.  We proceeded South-West by South six miles, and then came to a
bay on our left, which is full of small islands, and appeared to be the
entrance of a river from the South.  Here the ridge of mountains
terminates.  This course was fifteen miles.

At six in the afternoon there was an appearance of bad weather; we
landed therefore, for the night; but before we could pitch our tents, a
violent tempest came on, with thunder, lightning, and rain, which,
however, soon ceased, but not before we had suffered the inconvenience
of being drenched by it.  The Indians were very much fatigued, having
been employed in running after wild fowl, which had lately cast their
feathers; they, however, caught five swans, and the same number of
geese.  I sounded several times in the course of the day, and found from
four to six fathoms water.


[1] Fort is the name given to any establishment in this country.




CHAPTER III


JULY, 1789.

_Wednesday, 1._--At half past four in the morning we continued our
voyage, and in a short time found the river narrowed to about half a
mile.  Our course was Westerly among islands, with a strong current.
Though the land is high on both sides, the banks are not perpendicular.
This course was twenty-one miles; and on sounding we found nine fathoms
water.  We then proceeded West-North-West nine miles, and passed a river
upon the South-East side; we sounded, and found twelve fathoms; and then
we went North-West by West three miles.  Here I lost my lead, which had
fastened at the bottom, with part of the line, the current running so
strong that we could not clear it with eight paddles, and the strength
of the line, which was equal to four paddles.  Continued North by West
five miles, and saw a high mountain, bearing South from us; we then
proceeded North-West by North four miles.  We now passed a small river
on the North side, then doubled a point to West-South-West.  At one
o'clock there came on lightning and thunder, with wind and rain, which
ceased in about half an hour, and left us almost deluged with wet, as we
did not land.  There were great quantities of ice along the banks of the
river.

We landed upon a small island, where there were the poles of four lodges
standing, which we concluded to have belonged to the Knisteneaux, on
their war excursions, six or seven years ago.  This course was fifteen
miles West, to where the river of the Mountain falls in from the
Southward.  It appears to be a very large river, whose mouth is half a
mile broad.  About six miles further a small river flows in the same
direction; and our whole course was twenty-four miles.  We landed
opposite to an island, the mountains to the Southward being in sight.
As our canoe was deeply laden, and being also in daily expectation of
coming to the rapids or fall, which we had been taught to consider with
apprehension, we concealed two bags of pemmican in the opposite island,
in the hope that they would be of future service to us.  The Indians
were of a different opinion, as they entertained no expectation of
returning that season, when the hidden provisions would be spoiled. Near
us were two Indian encampments of the last year.  By the manner in which
these people cut their wood, it appears that they have no iron tools.
The current was very strong during the whole of this day's voyage, and
in the article of provisions two swans were all that the hunters were
able to procure.


_Thursday, 2._--The morning was very foggy: but at half past five we
embarked; it cleared up, however, at seven, when we discovered that the
water, from being very limpid and clear, was become dark and muddy.
This alteration must have proceeded from the influx of some river to the
Southward, but where these streams first blended their waters, the fog
had prevented us from observing.  At nine we perceived a very high
mountain ahead, which appeared, on our nearer approach, to be rather a
cluster of mountains, stretching as far as our view could reach to the
Southward, and whose tops were lost in the clouds.  At noon there was
lightning, thunder, and rain, and at one, we came abreast of the
mountains; their summits appeared to be barren and rocky, but their
declivities were covered with wood; they appeared also to be sprinkled
with white stones, which glistened in the sun, and were called by the
Indians manetoe aseniak, or spirit stones.  I suspected that they were
Talc, though they possessed a more brilliant whiteness; on our return,
however, these appearances were dissolved, as they were nothing more
than patches of snow.

Our course had been West-South-West thirty miles and we proceeded with
great caution, as we continually expected to approach some great rapid
or fall.  This was such a prevalent idea, that all of us were
occasionally persuaded that we heard those sounds which betokened a fall
of water.  Our course changed to West by North, along the mountains,
twelve miles, North by West, twenty-one miles, and at eight o'clock in
the evening, we went on shore for the night, on the North side of the
river.  We saw several encampments of the natives, some of which had
been erected in the present spring, and others at some former period.
The hunters killed only one swan and a beaver; the latter was the first
of its kind which we had seen in this river.  The Indians complained of
the perseverance with which we pushed forward, and that they were not
accustomed to such severe fatigue as it occasioned.


_Friday, 3._--The rain was continual through the night, and did not
subside till seven this morning, when we embarked and steered
North-North-West for twelve miles, the river being enclosed by high
mountains on either side.  We had a strong head-wind, and the rain was
so violent as to compel us to land at ten o' clock.  According to my
reckoning, since my last observation, we had run two hundred and
seventeen miles West, and forty-four miles North.  At a quarter past two
the rain subsided, and we got again under way, our former course
continuing for five miles.  Here a river fell in from the North, and in
a short time the current became strong and rapid, running with great
rapidity among rocky islands, which were the first that we had seen in
this river, and indicated our near approach to rapids and falls.  Our
present course was North-West by North ten miles, North-West three
miles, West-North-West twelve miles, and North-West three miles, when we
encamped at eight in the evening, at the foot of an high hill, on the
North shore, which in some parts rose perpendicular from the river.  I
immediately ascended it, accompanied by two men and some Indians, and in
about an hour and an half, with very hard walking, we gained the summit,
when I was very much surprised to find it crowned by an encampment.  The
Indians informed me, that it is the custom of the people who have no
arms to choose these elevated spots for the places of their residence,
as they can render them inaccessible to their enemies, particularly the
Knisteneaux, of whom they are in continual dread.  The prospect from
this height was not so extensive as we expected, as it was terminated by
a circular range of hills, of the same elevation as that on which we
stood.  The intervals between the hills were covered with small lakes,
which were inhabited by great numbers of swans.  We, saw no trees but
the pine and the birch, which were small in size and few in number.

We were obliged to shorten our stay here, from the swarms of mosquitoes
which attacked us on all sides and were, indeed, the only inhabitants of
the place.  We saw several encampments of the natives in the course of
the day, but none of them were of this year's establishment.  Since four
in the afternoon the current had been so strong, that it was at length,
in an actual ebullition, and produced an hissing noise like a kettle of
water in a moderate state of boiling.  The weather was now become
extremely cold, which was the more sensibly felt, as it had been very
sultry sometime before and since we had been in the river.


_Saturday, 4._--At five in the morning, the wind and weather having
undergone no alteration from yesterday, we proceeded North-West by West
twenty-two miles, North-West six miles, North-West by North four miles
and West-North-West five miles; we then passed the mouth of a small
river from the North, and after doubling a point, South-West one mile,
we passed the influx of an other river from the South.  We then
continued our course North-North-West, with a mountain ahead, fifteen
miles, when the opening of two rivers appeared opposite to each other:
we then proceeded West four miles, and North-West thirteen miles.  At
eight in the evening, we encamped on an island.  The current was as
strong through the whole of this day as it had been the preceding
after-noon; nevertheless, a quantity of ice appeared along the banks of
the river.  The hunters killed a beaver and a goose, the former of which
sunk before they could get to him: beavers, otters, bears, etc., if shot
dead at once, remain like a bladder, but if there remains enough of life
for them to struggle, they soon fill with water and go to the bottom.


_Sunday, 5._--The sun set last night at fifty-three minutes past nine,
by my watch, and rose at seven minutes before two this morning: we
embarked soon after, steering North-North-West, through islands for five
miles, and West four miles.  The river then increased in breadth, and
the current began to slacken in a small degree; after the continuation
of our course, we perceived a ridge of high mountains before us, covered
with snow.  West-South-West ten miles, and at three-quarters past seven
o'clock, we saw several smokes on the North shore, which we made every
exertion to approach.  As we drew nearer, we discovered the natives
running about in great apparent confusion; some were making to the
woods, and others hurrying to their canoes.  Our hunters landed before
us, and addressed the few that had not escaped, in the Chipewyan
language, which, so great was their confusion and terror, they did not
appear to understand.  But when they perceived that it was impossible to
avoid us, as we were all landed, they made us signs to keep at a
distance, with which we complied, and not only unloaded our canoe, but
pitched our tents, before we made any attempt to approach them.  During
this interval, the English chief and his young men were employed in
reconciling them to our arrival; and when they had recovered from their
alarm of hostile intention, it appeared that some of them perfectly
comprehended the language of our Indians; so that they were at length
persuaded, though not without evident signs of reluctance and
apprehension, to come to us.  Their reception, however, soon dissipated
their fears, and they hastened to call their fugitive companions from
their hiding places.

There were five families, consisting of twenty-five or thirty persons,
and of two different tribes, the Slave and Dog-rib Indians.  We made
them smoke, though it was evident they did not know the use of tobacco;
we likewise supplied them with grog; but I am disposed to think, that
they accepted our civilities rather from fear than inclination.  We
acquired a more effectual influence over them by the distribution of
knives, beads, awls, rings, gartering, fire-steels, flints, and hatchets;
so that they became more familiar even than we expected, for we could
not keep them out of our tents: though I did not observe that they
attempted to purloin any-thing.

The information which they gave respecting the river, had so much of the
fabulous, that I shall not detail it: it will be sufficient just to
mention their attempts to persuade us that it would require several
winters to get to the sea, and that old age would come upon us before
the period of our return: we were also to encounter monsters of such
horrid shapes and destructive powers as could only exist in their wild
imaginations.  They added, besides, that there were two impassable falls
in the river, the first of which was about thirty days march from us.

Though I placed no faith in these strange relations, they had a very
different effect upon our Indians, who were already tired of the voyage.
It was their opinion and anxious wish, that we should not hesitate to
return.  They said that, according to the information which they had
received, there were very few animals in the country beyond us, and that
as we proceeded, the scarcity would increase, and we should absolutely
perish from hunger, if no other accident befel us.  It was with no small
trouble that they were convinced of the folly of these reasonings; and
by my desire, they induced one of those Indians to accompany us, in
consideration of a small kettle, an axe, a knife, and some other
articles.

Though it was now three o'clock in the afternoon, the canoe was ordered
to be re-loaded, and as we were ready to embark our new recruit was
desired to prepare himself for his departure, which he would have
declined; but as none of his friends would take his place, we may be
said, after the delay of an hour, to have compelled him to embark.
Previous to his departure a ceremony took place, of which I could not
learn the meaning; he cut off a lock of his hair, and having divided it
into three parts, he fastened one of them to the hair on the upper part
of his wife's head, blowing on it three times with the utmost violence
in his power, and uttering certain words.  The other two he fastened
with the same formalities, on the heads of his two children.

During our short stay with these people, they amused us with dancing,
which they accompanied with their voices: but neither their song or
their dance possessed much variety.  The men and women formed a
promiscuous ring.  The former have a bone dagger or piece of stick
between the fingers of the right hand, which they keep extended above
the head, in continual motion: the left they seldom raise so high, but
work it backwards and forwards in a horizontal direction; while they
leap about and throw themselves into various antic postures, to the
measure of their music, always bringing their heels close to each other
at every pause.  The men occasionally howl in imitation of some animal,
and he who continues this violent exercise for the longest period,
appears to be considered as the best performer.  The women suffer their
arms to hang as without the power of motion.  They are a meagre, ugly,
ill-made people, particularly about the legs, which are very clumsy and
covered with scabs.  The latter circumstance proceeds probably from
their habitually roasting them before the fire.  Many of them appeared
to be in a very unhealthy state, which is owing, as I imagine, to their
natural filthiness.  They are of a moderate stature, and as far as could
be discovered, through the coat of dirt and grease that covers them, are
of a fairer complexion than the generality of Indians who are the
natives of warmer climates.

Some of them have their hair of a great length; while others suffer a
long tress to fall behind, and the rest is cut so short as to expose
their ears, but no other attention whatever is paid to it.  The beards
of some of the old men were long, and the rest had them pulled out by
the roots so that not a hair could be seen on their chins.  The men have
two double lines, either black or blue, tattooed upon each cheek, from
the ear to the nose.  The gristle of the latter is perforated so as to
admit a goose-quill or a small piece of wood to be passed through the
orifice.  Their clothing is made of the dressed skins of the rein or
moose-deer, though more commonly of the former.  These they prepare in
the hair for winter, and make shirts of both, which reach to the middle
of their thighs.  Some of them are decorated with an embroidery of very
neat workmanship with porcupine quills and the hair of the moose,
coloured red, black, yellow, and white.  Their upper garments are
sufficiently large to cover the whole body, with a fringe round the
bottom, and are used both sleeping and awake.  Their leggins come half
way up the thigh, and are sewed to their shoes: they are embroidered
round the ancle, and upon every seam.  The dress of the women is the
same as that of the men.  The former have no covering on their private
parts, except a tassel of leather which dangles from a small cord, as it
appears, to keep off the flies, which would otherwise be very
troublesome.  Whether circumcision be practised among them, I cannot
pretend to say, but the appearance of it was general among those whom I
saw.

Their ornaments consist of gorgets, bracelets for the arms and wrists,
made of wood, horn, or bone, belts, garters, and a kind of band to go
round the head, composed of strips of leather of one inch and an half
broad, embroidered with porcupine quills, and stuck round with the claws
of bears or wild fowl inverted, to which are suspended a few short
thongs of the skin of an animal that resembles the ermine, in the form
of a tassel.  Their cinctures and garters are formed of porcupine quills
woven with sinews, in a style of peculiar skill and neatness: they have
others of different materials, and more ordinary workmanship; and to
both they attach a long fringe of strings of leather, worked round with
hair of various colours.  Their mittens are also suspended from the neck
in a position convenient for the reception of the hands.

Their lodges are of a very simple structure: a few poles supported by a
fork, and forming a semicircle at the bottom, with some branches or a
piece of bark as a covering, constitutes the whole of their native
architecture.  They build two of these huts facing each other, and make
the fire between them.  The furniture harmonises with the buildings:
they have a few dishes of wood, bark, or horn; the vessels in which they
cook their victuals are in the shape of a gourd, narrow at the top and
wide at the bottom, and of watape,[1] fabricated in such a manner as to
hold water, which is made to boil by putting a succession of red-hot
stones into it.  These vessels contain from two to six gallons. They
have a number of small leather bags to hold their embroidered work,
lines, and nets.  They always keep an large quantity of the fibres of
willow bark, which they work into thread on their thighs.  Their nets
are from three to forty fathoms in length, and from thirteen to
thirty-six inches in depth.  The short deep ones they set in the eddy
current of rivers, and the long ones in the lakes.  They likewise make
lines of the sinews of the rein-deer, and manufacture their hooks from
wood, horn, or bone.  Their arms and weapons for hunting, are bows and
arrows, spears, daggers, and pogamagans, or clubs.  The bows are about
five or six feet in length, and the strings are of sinews or raw skins.
The arrows are two feet and an half long, including the barb, which is
variously formed of bone, horn, flint, iron, or copper, and are winged
with three feathers.  The pole of the spears is about six feet in
length, and pointed with a barbed bone of ten inches.  With this weapon
they strike the rein-deer in the water.  The daggers are flat and
sharp-pointed, about twelve inches long, and made of horn or bone.  The
pogamagon is made of the horn of the rein-deer, the branches being all
cut off, except that which forms the extremity.  This instrument is
about two feet in length, and is employed to despatch their enemies in
battle, and such animals as they catch in snares placed for that
purpose.  These are about three fathom long, and are made of the green
skin of the rein or moose-deer, but in such small strips, that it
requires from ten to thirty strands to make this cord, which is not
thicker than a cod-line; and strong enough to resist any animal that can
be entangled in it.  Snares or nooses are also made of sinews to take
lesser animals, such as hares and white partridges, which are very
numerous.  Their axes are manufactured of a piece of brown or grey stone
from six to eight inches long, and two inches thick.  The inside is
flat, and the outside round and tapering to an edge, an inch wide.  They
are fastened by the middle with the flat side inwards to a handle two
feet long, with a cord of green skin.  This is the tool with which they
split their wood, and we believe, the only one of its kind among them,
They kindle fire, by striking together a piece of white or yellow
pyrites and a flint stone, over a piece of touchwood.  They are
universally provided with a small bag containing these materials, so
that they are in a continual state of preparation to produce fire.  From
the adjoining tribes, the Red-Knives and Chepewyans, they procure, in
barter for marten skins and a few beaver, small pieces of iron, of which
they manufacture knives, by fixing them at the end of a short stick, and
with them and the beaver's teeth, they finish all their work.  They keep
them in a sheath hanging to their neck, which also contains their awls
both of iron and horn.

Their canoes are small, pointed at both ends, flat-bottomed and covered
in the fore part.  They are made of the bark of the birch-tree and
fir-wood, but of so slight a construction, that the man whom one of
these light vessels bears on the water, can, in return, carry it over
land without any difficulty.  It is very seldom that more than one
person embarks in them, nor are they capable of receiving more than two.
The paddles are six feet long, one half of which is occupied by a blade
of about eight inches wide.  These people informed us, that we had
passed large bodies of Indians who inhabit the mountains on the east
side of the river.

At four in the afternoon we embarked, and our Indian acquaintance
promised to remain on the bank of the river till the fall, in case we
should return.  Our course was West-South-West, and we soon passed the
Great Bear Lake River, which is of a considerable depth and an hundred
yards wide: its water is clear, and has the greenish hue of the sea.  We
had not proceeded more than six miles when we were obliged to land for
the night, in consequence of an heavy gust of wind, accompanied with
rain.  We encamped beneath a rocky hill, on the top of which, according
to the information of our guide, it blew a storm every day throughout
the year.  He found himself very uncomfortable in his new situation, and
pretended that he was very ill, in order that he might be permitted to
return to his relations.  To prevent his escape, it became necessary to
keep a strict watch over him during the night.


_Monday, 6._--At three o'clock, in a very raw and cloudy morning, we
embarked, and steered West-South-West four miles, West four miles,
West-North-West five miles, West eight miles, West by South fifteen
miles, West twenty-seven miles, South-West nine miles, then West six
miles, and encamped at half past seven.  We passed through numerous
islands, and had a ridge of snowy mountains always in sight.  Our
conductor informed us that great numbers of bears and small white
buffaloes, frequent those mountains, which are also inhabited by
Indians.  We encamped in a similar situation to that of the preceding
evening, beneath another high rocky hill, which I attempted to ascend,
in company with one of the hunters, but before we had got half way to
the summit, we were almost suffocated by clouds of mosquitoes, and were
obliged to return.  I observed, however, that the mountains terminated
here, and that a river flowed from the Westward: I also discovered a
strong rippling current, or rapid, which ran close under a steep
precipice of the hill.


_Tuesday, 7._--We embarked at four in the morning and crossed to the
opposite side of the river, in consequence of the rapid; but we might
have spared ourselves this trouble, as there would have been no danger
in continuing our course, without any circuitous deviation whatever.
This circumstance convinced us of the erroneous account given by the
natives of the great and approaching dangers of our navigation, as this
rapid was stated to be one of them.  Our course was now North-North-West
three miles, West-North-West four miles, North-West ten miles, North two
miles, when we came to a river that flowed from the Eastward.  Here we
landed at an encampment of four fires, all the inhabitants of which ran
off with the utmost speed except and old man and an old woman.  Our
guide called aloud to the fugitives, and entreated them to stay, but
without effect the old man, however, did not hesitate to approach us,
and represented himself as too far advanced in life, and too indifferent
about the short time he had to remain in the world, to be very anxious
about escaping from any danger that threatened him; at the same time he
pulled his grey hairs from his head by handfuls to distribute among us,
and implored our favour for himself and his relations.  Our guide,
however, at length removed his fears, and persuaded him to recall the
fugitives, who consisted of eighteen people; whom I reconciled to me on
their return with presents of beads, knives, awls, &c., with which they
appeared to be greatly delighted.  They differed in no respect from
those whom we had already seen; nor were they deficient in hospitable
attentions; they provided us with fish, which was very well boiled, and
cheerfully accepted by us.  Our guide still sickened after his home, and
was so anxious to return thither, that we were under the necessity of
forcing him to embark.

These people informed us that we were close to another great rapid, and
that there were several lodges of their relations in its vicinity.

Four canoes, with a man in each, followed us, to point out the
particular channels we should follow for the secure passage of the
rapid.  They also abounded in discouraging stories concerning the
dangers and difficulties which we were to encounter.

From hence our course was North-North-East two miles, when the river
appeared to be enclosed, as it were, with lofty, perpendicular, white
rocks, which did not afford us a very agreeable prospect.  We now went
on shore, in order to examine the rapid, but did not perceive any signs
of it, though the Indians still continued to magnify its dangers:
however, as they ventured down it, in their small canoes, our
apprehensions were consequently removed, and we followed them at some
distance, but did not find any increase in the rapidity of the current;
at length the Indians informed us that we should find no other rapid but
that which was now bearing us along.  The river at this place is not
above three hundred yards in breadth, but on sounding I found fifty
fathoms water.  At the two rivulets that offer their tributary streams
from either side, we found six families, consisting of about thirty-five
persons, who gave us an ample quantity of excellent fish, which were,
however, confined to white fish, the poisson inconnu, and another of a
round form and greenish colour, which was about fourteen inches in
length.  We gratified them with a few presents, and continued our
voyage.  The men, however, followed us in fifteen canoes.

This narrow channel is three miles long, and its course
North-North-East.  We then steered North three miles, and landed at an
encampment of three or more families, containing twenty-two persons,
which was situated on the bank of a river, of a considerable appearance,
which came from the Eastward.  We obtained hares and partridges from
these people, and presented in return such articles as greatly delighted
them.  They very much regretted that they had no goods or merchandise to
exchange with us, as they had left them at a lake, from whence the river
issued, and in whose vicinity some of their people were employed in
setting snares for rein-deer.  They engaged to go for their articles of
trade, and would wait our return, which we assumed them would be within
two months.  There was a youth among them in the capacity of a slave,
whom our Indians understood much better than any of the natives of this
country whom they had yet seen; he was invited to accompany us, but took
the first opportunity to conceal himself, and we saw him no more.

We now steered West five miles, when we again landed, and found two
families, containing seven people, but had reason to believe that there
were others hidden in the woods.  We received from them two dozen of
hares, and they were about to boil two more, which they also gave us.
We were not ungrateful for their kindness, and left them.  Our course
was now North-West four miles, and at nine we landed and pitched our
tents, when one of our people killed a grey crane.  Our conductor
renewed his complaints, not, as he assured us, from any apprehension of
our ill treatment, but of the Esquimaux, whom he represented as a very
wicked and malignant people; who would put us all to death.  He added,
also, that it was but two summers since a large party of them came up
this river, and killed many of his relations.  Two Indians followed us
from the last lodges.


_Wednesday, 8._--At half past two in the morning we embarked, and
steered a Westerly course, and soon after put ashore at two lodges of
nine Indians.  We made them a few trifling presents, but without
disembarking, and had proceeded but a small distance from thence, when
we observed several smokes beneath a hill, on the North shore, and on
our approach we perceived the natives climbing the ascent to gain the
woods.  The Indians, however, in the two small canoes which were ahead
of us, having assured them of our friendly intentions, they returned to
their fires, and we disembarked.  Several of them were clad in
hare-skins, but in every other circumstance they resembled those whom we
had already seen.  We were, however, informed that they were of a
different tribe, called the Hare Indians, as hares and fish are their
principal support, from the scarcity of rein-deer and beaver, which are
the only animals of the larger kind that frequent this part of the
country.  They were twenty-five in number; and among them was a woman
who was afflicted with an abscess in the belly, and reduced, in
consequence, to a mere skeleton: at the same time several old women were
singing and howling around her; but whether these noises were to operate
as a charm for her cure, or merely to amuse and console her, I do not
pretend to determine.  A small quantity of our usual presents were
received by them with the greatest satisfaction.

Here we made an exchange of our guide, who had become so troublesome
that we were obliged to watch him night and day, except when he was upon
the water.  The man, however, who had agreed to go in his place soon
repented of his engagement, and endeavoured to persuade us that some of
his relations further down the river, would readily accompany us, and
were much better acquainted with the river than himself.  But, as he had
informed us ten minutes before that we should see no more of his tribe,
we paid very little attention to his remonstrances, and compelled him to
embark.

In about three hours a man overtook us in a canoe, and we suspected that
his object was to facilitate, in some way or other, the escape of our
conductor.  About twelve we also observed an Indian walking along the
North-East shore, when the small canoes paddled towards him.  We
accordingly followed, and found three men, three women, and two
children, who had been on an hunting expedition.  They had some flesh of
the rein-deer, which they offered to us, but it was so rotten, as well
as offensive to the smell, that we excused ourselves from accepting it.
They had also their wonderful stories of danger and terror, as well as
their countrymen, whom we had already seen; and we were now informed,
that behind the opposite island there was a Manitoe or spirit, in the
river, which swallowed every person that approached it.  As it would
have employed half a day to have indulged our curiosity in proceeding to
examine this phenomenon, we did not deviate from our course, but left
these people with the usual presents, and proceeded on our voyage.  Our
course and distance this day were West twenty-eight miles,
West-North-West twenty-three miles, West-South-West six miles, West by
North five miles, South-West four miles, and encamped at eight o'clock.
A fog prevailed the greater part of the day, with frequent showers of
small rain.


[1] Watape is the name given to the divided roots of the spruce fir,
which the natives weave into a degree of compactness that renders it
capable of containing a fluid.  The different parts of the bark canoes
are also sewed together with this kind of filament.




CHAPTER IV.


JULY, 1789.

_Thursday, 9._--Thunder and rain prevailed during the night, and, in
the course of it, our guide deserted; we therefore compelled another of
these people, very much against his will, to supply the place of his
fugitive countryman.  We also took away the paddles of one of them who
remained behind, that he might not follow us on any scheme of promoting
the escape of his companion, who was not easily pacified.  At length,
however, we succeeded in the act of conciliation, and at half past three
quitted our station.  In a short time we saw a smoke on the East shore,
and directed our course towards it.  Our new guide began immediately to
call to the people that belonged to it in a particular manner, which we
did not comprehend.  He informed us that they were not of his tribe, but
were a very wicked, malignant people, who would beat us cruelly, pull
our hair with great violence from our heads, and maltreat us in various
other ways.

The men waited our arrival, but the women and children took to the
woods.  There were but four of these people, and previous to our
landing, they all harangued us at the same moment, and apparently with
violent anger and resentment.  Our hunters did not understand them, but
no sooner had our guide addressed them, than they were appeased.  I
presented them with beads, awls, etc., and when the women and children
returned from the woods, they were gratified with similar articles.
There were fifteen of them; and of a more pleasing appearance than any
which we had hitherto seen, as they were healthy, full of flesh, and
clean in their persons.  Their language was somewhat different, but I
believe chiefly in the accent, for they and our guide conversed
intelligibly with each other; and the English chief clearly comprehended
one of them, though he was not himself understood.

Their arms and utensils differ but little from those which have been
described in a former chapter.  The only iron they have is in small
pieces, which serve them for knives.  They obtain this metal from the
Esquimaux Indians.  Their arrows are made of very light wood, and are
winged only with two feathers; their bows differed from any which we had
seen, and we understood that they were furnished by the Esquimaux, who
are their neighbours: they consist of two pieces, with a very strong
cord of sinews along the back, which is tied in several places, to
preserve its shape; when this cord becomes wet, it requires a strong
bow-string, and a powerful arm to draw it.  The vessel in which they
prepare their food, is made of a thin frame of wood, and of an oblong
shape; the bottom is fixed in a groove, in the same manner as a cask.
Their shirts are not cut square at the bottom, but taper to a point,
from the belt downwards as low as the knee, both before and behind, with
a border, embellished with a short fringe.  They use also another
fringe, similar to that which has been already described, with the
addition of the stone of a grey farinaceous berry, of the size and shape
of a large barley-corn: it is of a brown colour, and fluted, and being
bored is run on each string of the fringe; with this they decorate their
shirts, by sewing it in a semicircle on the breast and back, and
crossing over both shoulders; the sleeves are wide and short, but the
mittens supply their deficiency, as they are long enough to reach over a
part of the sleeve, and are commodiously suspended by a cord from the
neck.  If their leggins were made with waistbands, they might with great
propriety be denominated trousers: they fasten them with a cord round
the middle, so that they appear to have a sense of decency which their
neighbours can not boast.  Their shoes are sewed to their leggins, and
decorated on every seam.  One of the men was clad in a shirt made of the
skins of the musk-rat.  The dress of the women is the same as that of
the men, except in their shirts, which are longer, and without the
finishing of a fringe on their breast.  Their peculiar mode of tying the
hair is as follows:--that which grows on the temples, or the fore
part of the skull, is formed into two queues, hanging down before the
ears; that of the scalp or crown is fashioned in the same manner to the
back of the neck, and is then tied with the rest of the hair, at some
distance from the head.  A thin cord is employed for these purposes, and
very neatly worked with hair, artificially coloured.  The women, and,
indeed, some of the men, let their hair hang loose on their shoulders,
whether it be long or short.

We purchased a couple of very large moose skins from them, which were
very well dressed; indeed we did not suppose that there were any of
those animals in the country; and it appears from the accounts of the
natives themselves, that they are very scarce.  As for the beaver, the
existence of such a creature does not seem to be known by them.  Our
people bought shirts of them, and many curious articles, &c.  They
presented us with a most delicious fish, which was less than a herring,
and very beautifully spotted with black and yellow: its dorsal fin
reached from the head to the tail; in its expanded state takes a
triangular form, and is variegated with the colours that enliven the
scales: the head is very small, and the mouth is armed with
sharp-pointed teeth.

We prevailed on the native, whose language was most intelligible, to
accompany us.  He informed us that we should sleep ten nights more
before we arrived at the sea; that several of his relations resided in
the immediate vicinity of this part of the river, and that in three
nights we should meet with the Esquimaux, with whom they had formerly
made war, but were now in a state of peace and amity.  He mentioned the
last Indians whom we had seen in terms of great derision; describing
them as being no better than old women, and as abominable liars; which
coincided with the notion we already entertained of them.

As we pushed off, some of my men discharged their fowling pieces, that
were only loaded with powder, at the report of which the Indians were
very much alarmed, as they had not before heard the discharge of
firearms.  This circumstance had such an effect upon our guide, that we
had reason to apprehend he would not fulfil his promise.  When, however,
he was informed that the noise which he had heard was a signal of
friendship, he was persuaded to embark in his own small canoe, though he
had been offered a seat in ours.

Two of his companions, whom he represented as his brothers, followed us
in their canoes; and they amused us not only with their native songs,
but with others, in imitation of the Esquimaux; and our new guide was so
enlivened by them, that the antics he performed, in keeping time to the
singing, alarmed us with continual apprehension that his boat must
upset: but he was not long content with his confined situation, and
paddling up alongside our canoe, requested us to receive him in it,
though but a short time before he had resolutely refused to accept our
invitation.  No sooner had he entered our canoe, than he began to
perform an Esquimaux dance, to our no small alarm.  He was, however,
soon prevailed upon to be more tranquil; when he began to display
various indecencies, according to the customs of the Esquimaux, of which
he boasted an intimate acquaintance.  On our putting to shore, in order
to leave his canoe, he informed us, that on the opposite hill the
Esquimaux, three winters before, killed his grandfather.  We saw a fox,
and a ground-hog on the hill, the latter of which the brother of our
guide shot with his bow and arrow.

About four in the afternoon we perceived a smoke on the West shore, when
we traversed and landed.  The natives made a most terrible uproar,
talking with great vociferation, and running about as if they were
deprived of their senses, while the greater part of the women, with the
children, fled away.  Perceiving the disorder which our appearance
occasioned among these people, we had waited some time before we quitted
the canoe; and I have no doubt, if we had been without people to
introduce us, that they would have attempted some violence against us;
for when the Indians send away their women and children, it is always
with a hostile design.  At length we pacified them with the usual
presents, but they preferred beads to any of the articles that I offered
them; particularly such as were of a blue colour; and one of them even
requested to exchange a knife which I had given him for a small quantity
of those ornamental baubles.  I purchased of them two shirts for my
hunters; and at the same time they presented me with some arrows, and
dried fish.  This party consisted of five families, to the amount, as I
suppose, of forty men, women, and children; but I did not see them all,
as several were afraid to venture from their hiding-places.  They are
called _Deguthee Dinees_, or the _Quarrellers_.

Our guide, like his predecessors, now manifested his wish to leave us,
and entertained similar apprehensions that we should not return by this
passage.  He had his alarms also respecting the Esquimaux, who might
kill us and take away the women.  Our Indians, however, assured him that
we had no fears of any kind, and that he need not be alarmed for
himself.  They also convinced him that we should return by the way we
were going, so that he consented to re-embark without giving us any
further trouble; and eight small canoes followed us.  Our courses this
day were South-West by West six miles, South-West by South thirty miles,
South-West three miles, West by South twelve miles, West by North two
miles, and we encamped at eight in the evening on the Eastern bank of
the river.

The Indians whom I found here, informed me, that from the place where I
this morning met the first of their tribe, the distance overland, on the
East side, to the sea, was not long, and that from hence, by proceeding
to the Westward, it was still shorter.  They also represented the land
on both sides as projecting to a point.  These people do not appear to
harbour any thievish dispositions; at least we did not perceive that
they took, or wanted to take, anything from us by stealth or artifice.
They enjoyed the amusements of dancing and jumping in common with those
we had already seen; and, indeed, these exercises seem to be their
favourite diversions.

About mid-day the weather was sultry, but in the afternoon it became
cold.  There was a large quantity of wild flax, the growth of last year,
laying on the ground, and the new plants were sprouting up through it.
This circumstance I did not observe in any other part.


_Friday, 10._--At four in the morning we embarked, at a small distance
from the place of our encampment; the river, which here becomes
narrower, flows between high rocks; and a meandering course took us
North-West four miles.  At this spot the banks became low; indeed, from
the first rapid, the country does not wear a mountainous appearance; but
the banks of the river are generally lofty, in some places perfectly
naked, and in others well covered with small trees, such as the fir and
the birch.  We continued our last course for two miles, with mountains
before us; whose tops were covered with snow.

The land is low on both sides of the river, except these mountains,
whose base is distant about ten miles: here the river widens, and runs
through various channels, formed by islands, some of which are without a
tree, and little more than banks of mud and sand; while others are
covered with a kind of spruce fir, and trees of a larger size than we
had seen for the last ten days.  Their banks, which are about six feet
above the surface of the water, display a face of solid ice, intermixed
with veins of black earth, and as the heat of the sun melts the ice, the
trees frequently fall into the river.

So various were the channels of the river at this time, that we were at
a loss which to take.  Our guide preferred the Easternmost, on account
of the Esquimaux, but I determined to take the middle channel, as it
appeared to be a larger body of water, and running North and South:
besides, as there was a greater chance of seeing them I concluded, that
we could always go to the Eastward, whenever we might prefer it.  Our
course was now West by North six miles, North-West by West, the snowy
mountains being West by South from us, and stretching to the Northward
as far as we could see.  According to the information of the Indians,
they are part of the chain of mountains which we approached on the third
of this month.  I obtained an observation this day that gave me
67. 47. North latitude, which was farther North than I expected,
according to the course I kept: but the difference was owing to the
variation of the compass, which was more Easterly than I imagined.  From
hence it was evident that these waters emptied themselves into the
Hyperborean Sea; and though it was probable that, from the want of
provision, we could not return to Athabasca in the course of the season,
I nevertheless, determined to penetrate to the discharge of them.

My new conductor being very much discouraged and quite tired of his
situation, used his influence to prevent our proceeding.  He had never
been, he said, at the _Benahullo Toe_, or White Man's Lake; and that
when he went to the Esquimaux Lake, which is at no great distance, he
passed over land from the place where we found him, and to that part
where the Esquimaux pass the summer.  In short, my hunters also became
so disheartened from these accounts, and other circumstances, that I was
confident they would have left me, if it had been in their power.  I,
however, satisfied them in some degree, by the assurance, that I would
proceed onwards but seven days more, and if I did not then get to the
sea, I would return.  Indeed, the low state of our provisions, without
any other consideration, formed a very sufficient security for the
maintenance of my engagement.  Our last course was thirty-two miles,
with a stronger current than could be expected in such a low country.

We now proceeded North-North-West four miles, North-West three miles,
North-East two miles, North-West by West three miles, and North-East two
miles.  At half past eight in the evening we landed and pitched our
tents, near to where there had been three encampments of the Esquimaux,
since the breaking up of the ice.  The natives, who followed us
yesterday, left us at our station this morning.  In the course of the
day we saw large flocks of wild fowl.


_Saturday, 11._--I sat up all night to observe the sun.  At half past
twelve I called up one of the men to view a spectacle which he had never
before seen; when, on seeing the sun so high, he thought it was a signal
to embark, and began to call the rest of his companions, who would
scarcely be persuaded by me, that the sun had not descended nearer to
the horizon, and that it was now but a short time past midnight.

We reposed, however, till three quarters after three, when we entered
the canoe, and steered about North-West, the river taking a very
serpentine course.  About seven we saw a ridge of high land; at twelve
we landed at a spot where we observed that some of the natives had
lately been.  I counted thirty places where there had been fires; and
some of the men who went further, saw as many more.  They must have been
here for a considerable time, though it does not appear that they had
erected any huts.  A great number of poles, however, were seen fixed in
the river, to which they had attached their nets, and there seemed to be
an excellent fishery.  One of the fish, of the many which we saw leap
out of the water, fell into our canoe; it was about ten inches long, and
of a round shape.  About the places where they had made their fires,
were scattered pieces of whalebone, and thick burned leather, with parts
of the frames of three canoes; we could also observe where they had
spilled train oil; and there was the singular appearance of a spruce
fir, stripped of its branches to the top like an English May-pole.  The
weather was cloudy, and the air cold and unpleasant.  From this place
for about five miles, the river widens, it then flows in a variety of
narrow, meandering channels, amongst low islands, enlivened with no
trees, but a few dwarf willows.

At four, we landed, where there were three houses, or rather huts,
belonging to the natives.  The ground-plot is of an oval form, about
fifteen feet long, ten feet wide in the middle, and eight feet at either
end; the whole of it is dug about twelve inches below the surface of the
ground, and one half of it is covered over with willow branches; which
probably serves as a bed for the whole family.

A space, in the middle of the other part, of about four feet wide, is
deepened twelve inches more, and is the only spot in the house where a
grown person can stand upright.  One side of it is covered, as has been
already described, and the other is the hearth or fireplace, of which,
however, they do not make much use.  Though it was close to the wall,
the latter did not appear to be burned.  The door or entrance is in the
middle of one end of the house, and is about two feet and an half high,
and two feet wide, and has a covered way or porch five feet in length;
so that it is absolutely necessary to creep on all fours in order to get
into, or out of, this curious habitation.  There is a hole of about
eighteen inches square on the top of it, which serves the threefold
purpose of a window, an occasional door, and a chimney.  The underground
part of the floor is lined with split wood.  Six or eight stumps of
small trees driven into the earth, with the root upwards, on which are
laid some cross pieces of timber, support the roof of the building,
which is an oblong square of ten feet by six.  The whole is made of
drift-wood covered with branches and dry grass; over which is laid a
foot deep of earth.  On each side of these houses are a few square holes
in the ground of about two feet in depth, which are covered with split
wood and earth, except in the middle.  These appeared to be contrived
for the preservation of the winter stock of provisions.  In and about
the houses we found sledge runners and bones, pieces of whalebone, and
poplar bark cut in circles, which are used as corks to buoy the nets,
and are fixed to them by pieces of whalebone.  Before each hut a great
number of stumps of trees were fixed in the ground, upon which it
appeared that they hung their fish to dry.

We now continued our voyage, and encamped at eight o'clock.  I
calculated our course at about North-West, and, allowing for the
windings, that we had made fifty-four miles.  We expected, throughout
the day, to meet with some of the natives.  On several of the islands we
perceived the print of their feet in the sand, as if they had been there
but a few days before, to procure wild fowl.  There were frequent
showers of rain in the afternoon, and the weather was raw and
disagreeable.  We saw a black fox; but trees were now become very rare
objects, except a few dwarf willows, of not more than three feet in
height.

The discontents of our hunters were now renewed by the accounts which
our guide had been giving of that part of our voyage that was
approaching.  According to his information, we were to see a larger lake
on the morrow.  Neither he nor his relations, he said, knew any thing
about it, except that part which is opposite to, and not far from, their
country.  The Esquimaux alone, he added, inhabit its shores, and kill a
large fish that is found in it, which is a principal part of their food;
this, we presumed, must; be the whale.  He also mentioned white bears,
and another large animal which was seen in those parts, but our hunters
could not understand the description which he gave of it.  He also
represented their canoes as being of a large construction, which would
commodiously contain four or five families.  However, to reconcile the
English chief to the necessary continuance in my service, I presented
him with one of my capotes or travelling coats; at the same time, to
satisfy the guide, and keep him, if possible, in good humour, I gave him
a skin of the moose-deer, which, in his opinion, was a valuable present.


_Sunday, 12._--It rained with violence throughout the night, and till
two in the morning; the weather continuing very cold.  We proceeded on
the same meandering course as yesterday, the wind North-North-West, and
the country so naked that scarce a shrub was to be seen.  At ten in the
morning, we landed where there were four huts, exactly the same as those
which have been so lately described.  The adjacent land is high and
covered with short grass and flowers, though the earth was not thawed
above four inches from the surface; beneath which was a solid body of
ice.  This beautiful appearance, however, was strangely contrasted with
the ice and snow that are seen in the valleys.  The soil, where there is
any, is a yellow clay mixed with stones.  These huts appear to have been
inhabited during the last winter; and we had reason to think that some
of the natives had been lately there, as the beach was covered with the
track of their feet.  Many of the runners and bars of their sledges were
laid together, near the houses, in a manner that seemed to denote the
return of the proprietors.  There were also pieces of netting made of
sinews, and some bark of the willow.  The thread of the former was
plaited, and no ordinary portion of time must have been employed in
manufacturing so great a length of cord.  A square stone kettle, with a
flat bottom, also occupied our attention, which was capable of
containing two gallons; and we were puzzled as to the means these people
must have employed to have chiselled it out of a solid rock into its
present form.  To these articles may be added, small pieces of flint
fixed into handles of wood, which probably serve as knives; several
wooden dishes; the stern and part of a large canoe; pieces of very thick
leather, which we conjectured to be the covering of a canoe; several
bones of large fish, and two heads; but we could not determine the
animal to which they belonged, though we conjectured that it must be the
sea-horse.

When we had satisfied our curiosity we re-embarked, but we were at a
loss what course to steer, as our guide seemed to be as ignorant of this
country as ourselves.  Though the current was very strong, we appeared
to have come to the entrance of the lake.  The stream set to the West,
and we went with it to an high point, at the distance of about eight
miles, which we conjectured to be an island; but, on approaching it, we
perceived it to be connected with the shore by a low neck of land.  I
now took an observation which gave 69. 1. North latitude.  From the
point that has been just mentioned, we continued the same course for the
Westernmost point of an high island, and the Westernmost land in sight,
at the distance of fifteen miles.

The lake was quite open to us to the Westward, and out of the channel of
the river there was not more than four feet water, and in some places
the depth did not exceed one foot, From the shallowness of the water it
was impossible to coast to the Westward.  At five o'clock we arrived at
the island, and during the last fifteen miles, five feet was the deepest
water.  The lake now appeared to be covered with ice, for about two
leagues distance, and no land ahead, so that we were prevented from
proceeding in this direction by the ice, and the shallowness of the
water along the shore.

We landed at the boundary of our voyage in this direction, and as soon
as the tents were pitched I ordered the nets to be set, when I proceeded
with the English chief to the highest part of the island, from which we
discovered the solid ice, extending from the South-West by compass to
the Eastward.  As far as the eye could reach to the South-West-ward, we
could dimly perceive a chain of mountains, stretching further to the
North than the edge of the ice, at the distance of upwards of twenty
leagues.  To the Eastward we saw many islands, and in our progress we
met with a considerable number of white partridges, now become brown.
There were also flocks of very beautiful plovers, and I found the nest
of one of them with four eggs.  White owls, likewise, were among the
inhabitants of the place: but the dead, as well as the living, demanded
our attention, for we came to the grave of one of the natives, by which
lay a bow, a paddle, and a spear., The Indians informed me that they
landed on a small island, about four leagues from hence, where they had
seen the tracks of two men, that were quite fresh; they had also found a
secret store of train oil, and several bones of white bears were
scattered about the place where it was hid.  The wind was now so high
that it was impracticable for us to visit the nets.

My people could not, at this time, refrain from expressions of real
concern, that they were obliged to return without reaching the sea:
indeed, the hope of attaining this object encouraged them to bear,
without repining, the hardships of our unremitting voyage.  For some
time past their spirits were animated by the expectation that another
day would bring them to the _Mer d'ouest:_ and even in our present
situation they declared their readiness to follow me wherever I should
be pleased to lead them.  We saw several large white gulls, and other
birds, whose back, and upper feathers of the wing are brown; and whose
belly, and under feathers of the wing are white.




CHAPTER V.


JULY, 1789.

_Monday, 13._--We had no sooner retired to rest last night, if I may
use that expression, in a country where the sun never sinks beneath the
horizon, than some of the people were obliged to rise and remove the
baggage, on account of the rising of the water.  At eight in the morning
the weather was fine and calm, which afforded an opportunity to examine
the nets, one of which had been driven from its position by the wind and
current.  We caught seven poissons inconnus, which were unpalatable; a
white fish, that proved delicious; and another about the size of an
herring, which none of us had ever seen before, except the English
chief, who recognized it as being of a kind that abounds in Hudson's
Bay.  About noon the wind blew hard from the Westward, when I took an
observation, which gave 69. 14. North latitude, and the meridian
variation of the compass was thirty-six degrees Eastward.[1]

This afternoon I re-ascended the hill, but could not discover that the
ice had been put in motion by the force of the wind.  At the same time I
could just distinguish two small islands in the ice, to the North-West
by compass.  I now thought it necessary to give a new net to my men to
mount, in order to obtain as much provision as possible from the water,
our stores being reduced to about five hundred weight, which, without
any other supply, would not have sufficed for fifteen people above
twelve days.  One of the young Indians, however, was so fortunate as to
find the net that had been missing, and which contained three of the
poissons inconnus.


_Tuesday, 14._--It blew very hard from the North-West since the
preceding evening.  Having sat up till three in the morning, I slept
longer than usual; but about eight one of my men saw a great many
animals in the water, which he at first supposed to be pieces of ice.
About nine, however, I was awakened to resolve the doubts which had
taken place respecting this extraordinary appearance.  I immediately
perceived that they were whales; and having ordered the canoe to be
prepared, we embarked in pursuit of them.  It was, indeed, a very wild
and unreflecting enterprise, and it was a very fortunate circumstance
that we failed in our attempt to overtake them, as a stroke from the
tail of one of these enormous fish would have dashed the canoe to
pieces.  We may, perhaps, have been indebted to the foggy weather for
our safety, as it prevented us from continuing our pursuit.  Our guide
informed us that they are the same kind of fish which are the principal
food of the Esquimaux, and they were frequently seen as large as our
canoe.  The part of them which appeared above the water was altogether
white, and they were much larger than the largest porpoise.

About twelve the fog dispersed, and being curious to take a view of the
ice, I gave orders for the canoe to be got in readiness.  We accordingly
embarked, and the Indians followed us.  We had not, however, been an
hour on the water, when the wind rose on a sudden from the North-East,
and obliged us to tack about, and the return of the fog prevented us
from ascertaining our distance from the ice; indeed, from this
circumstance, the island which we had so lately left was but dimly seen.
Though the wind was close, we ventured to hoist the sail, and from the
violence of the swell it was by great exertions that two men could bale
out the water from our canoe.  We were in a state of actual danger, and
felt every corresponding emotion of pleasure when we reached the land.
The Indians had fortunately got more to windward, so that the swell in
some measure drove them on shore, though their canoes were nearly filled
with water: and had they been laden, we should have seen them no more.
As I did not propose to satisfy my curiosity at the risk of similar
dangers, we continued our course along, the islands, which screened us
from the wind.  I was now determined to take a more particular
examination of the islands, in the hope of meeting with parties of the
natives, from whom I might be able to obtain some interesting
intelligence, though our conductor discouraged my expectations, by
representing them as very shy and inaccessible people.  At the same time
he informed me, that we should probably find some of them, if we
navigated the channel which he had originally recommended us to enter.

At eight we encamped on the Eastern end of the island, which I had named
the Whale Island.  It is about seven leagues in length, East and West by
compass; but not more than half a mile in breadth.  We saw several red
foxes, one of which was killed.  There were also five or six very old
huts on the point where we had taken our station.  The nets were now
set, and one of them in five fathom water, the current setting
North-East by compass.  This morning I ordered a post to be erected
close to our tents, on which engraved the latitude of the place, my own
name, the number of persons which I had with me, and the time we
remained there.


_Wednesday, 15._--Being awakened by some casual circumstance, at four
this morning, I was surprised on perceiving that the water had flowed
under our baggage.  As the wind had not changed, and did not blow with
greater violence than when we went to rest, we were all of opinion that
this circumstance proceeded from the tide.  We had, indeed, observed at
the other end of the island, that the water rose and fell; but we then
imagined that it must have been occasioned by the wind.  The water
continued to rise till about six, but I could not ascertain the time
with the requisite precision, as the wind then began to blow with great
violence; I therefore determined, at all events, to remain here till the
next morning, though, as it happened, the state of the wind was such, as
to render my stay here an act of necessity.  Our nets were not very
successful, as they presented us with only eight fish.  From an
observation which I obtained at noon we were in 69.  7. North latitude.
As the evening approached, the wind increased, and the weather became
cold.  Two swans were the only provision which the hunters procured for
us.


_Thursday, 16._--The rain did not cease till seven this morning, the
weather being at intervals very cold and unpleasant.  Such was its
inconstancy, that I could not make an accurate observation; but the tide
appeared to rise sixteen or eighteen inches.

We now embarked, and steered under sail among the islands, where I hoped
to meet with some of the natives, but my expectation was not gratified.
Our guide imagined that they were gone to their distant haunts, where
they fish for whales and hunt the rein-deer, that are opposite to his
country.  His relations, he said, see them every year, but he did not
encourage us to expect that we should find any of them, unless it were
at a small river that falls into the great one, from the Eastward, at a
considerable distance from our immediate situation.  We accordingly made
for the river, and stemmed the current.  At two in the afternoon the
water was quite shallow in every part of our course, and we could always
find the bottom with the paddle.  At seven we landed, encamped, and set
the nets.  Here the Indians killed two geese, two cranes, and a white
owl. Since we entered the river, we experienced a very agreeable change
in the temperature of the air; but this pleasant circumstance was not
without its inconvenience, as it subjected us to the persecution of the
mosquitoes.


_Friday, 17._--On taking up the nets, they were found to contain but
six fish.  We embarked at four in the morning, and passed four
encampments; which appeared to have been very lately inhabited.  We then
landed upon a small round island, close to the Eastern shore; which
possessed somewhat of a sacred character, as the top of it seemed to be
a place of sepulture, from the numerous graves which we observed there.
We found the frame of a small canoe, with various dishes, troughs, and
other utensils, which had been the living property of those who could
now use them no more, and form the ordinary accompaniments of their last
abodes.  As no part of the skins that must have covered the canoe was
remaining, we concluded that it had been eaten by wild animals that
inhabit, or occasionally frequent, the island.  The frame of the canoe,
which was entire, was put together with whale-bone; it was sewed in some
parts, and tied in others.  The sledges were from four to eight feet
long; the length of the bars was upwards of two feet; the runners were
two inches thick and nine inches deep; the prow was two feet and an half
high, and formed of two pieces, sewed with whalebone, to three other
thin spars of wood, which were of the same height; and fixed in the
runners by means of mortises, were sewed two thin broad bars lengthways,
at a small distance from each other; these frames were fixed together
with three or four cross bars, tied fast upon the runners, and on the
lower edge of the latter, small pieces of horn were fastened by wooden
pegs, that they might slide with greater facility.  They are drawn by
shafts, which I imagine are applied to any particular sledge as they are
wanted as I saw no more than one pair of them.

About half past one we came opposite to the first spruce-tree that we
had seen for some time: there are but very few of them on the main land,
and they are very small: those are larger which are found on the
islands, where they grow in patches, and close together.  It is, indeed,
very extraordinary that there should be any wood whatever in a country
where the ground never thaws above five inches from the surface.  We
landed at seven in the evening.  The weather was now very pleasant, and
in the course of the day we saw great numbers of wild fowl, with their
young ones, but they were so shy that we could not approach them.  The
Indians were not very successful in their foraging party, as they killed
only two grey cranes, and a grey goose.  Two of them were employed on
the high land to the Eastward, through the greater part of the day, in
search of rein-deer, but they could discover nothing more than a few
tracks of that animal.  I also ascended the high land, from whence I had
a delightful view of the river, divided into innumerable streams,
meandering through islands, some of which were covered with wood and
others with grass.  The mountains, that formed the opposite horizon,
were at the distance of forty miles.  The inland view was neither so
extensive nor agreeable, being terminated by a near range of bleak,
barren hills, between which are small lakes or ponds, while the
surrounding country is covered with tufts of moss, without the shade of
a single tree.  Along the hills is a kind of fence, made with branches,
where the natives had set snares to catch white partridges.


_Saturday, 18._--The nets did not produce a single fish, and at three
o'clock in the morning we took our departure.  The weather was fine and
clear, and we passed several encampments.  As the prints of human feet
were very fresh in the sand, it could not have been long since the
natives had visited the spot.  We now proceeded in the hope of meeting
with some of them at the river, whither our guide was conducting us with
that expectation.  We observed a great number of trees, in different
places, whose branches had been lopped off to the tops.  They denote the
immediate abode of the natives, and probably serve for signals to direct
each other to their respective winter quarters.  Our hunters, in the
course of the day, killed two rein-deer, which were the only large
animals that we had seen since we had been in this river, and proved a
very seasonable supply, as our pemmican had become mouldy for some time
past; though in that situation we were under the necessity of eating it.

In the valleys and low lands near the river, cranberries are found in
great abundance, particularly in favourable aspects.  It is a singular
circumstance, that the fruit of two succeeding years may be gathered at
the same time, from the same shrub.  Here was also another berry, of a
very pale yellow colour, that resembles a raspberry, and is of a very
agreeable flavour.  There is a great variety of other plants and herbs,
whose names and properties are unknown to me.

The weather became cold towards the afternoon, with the appearance of
rain, and we landed for the night at seven in the evening.  The Indians
killed eight geese.  During the greater part of the day I walked with
the English chief, and found it very disagreeable and fatiguing.  Though
the country is so elevated, it was one continual morass, except on the
summits of some barren hills.  As I carried my hanger in my hand, I
frequently examined if any part of the ground was in a state of thaw,
but could never force the blade into it, beyond the depth of six or
eight inches.  The face of the high land, towards the river, is in some
places rocky, and in others a mixture of sand and stone veined with a
kind of red earth, with which the natives bedaub themselves.


_Sunday, 19._--It rained, and blew hard from the North, till eight in
the morning, when we discovered that our conductor had escaped.  I was,
indeed, surprised at his honesty, as he left the moose-skin which I had
given him for a covering, and went off in his shirt, though the weather
was very cold.  I inquired of the Indians if they had given him any
cause of offence, or had observed any recent disposition in him to
desert us, but they assured me that they had not in any instance
displeased him: at the same time they recollected that he had expressed
his apprehensions of being taken away as a slave; and his alarms were
probably increased on the preceding day, when he saw them kill the two
rein-deer with so much readiness.  In the afternoon the weather became
fine and clear, when we saw large flights of geese with their young
ones, and the hunters killed twenty-two of them.  As they had at this
time cast their feathers, they could not fly.  They were of a small
kind, and much inferior in size to those that frequent the vicinity of
Athabasca.  At eight, we took our station near an Indian encampment,
and, as we had observed in similar situations, pieces of bone,
rein-deer's horn, &c., were scattered about it.  It also appeared, that
the natives had been employed here in working wood into arms, utensils,
&c.


_Monday, 20._--We embarked at three this morning, when the weather was
cloudy, with small rain and aft wind.  About twelve the rain became so
violent as to compel us to encamp at two in the afternoon.  We saw great
numbers of fowl, and killed among us fifteen geese and four swans.  Had
the weather been more favourable, we should have added considerably to
our booty.  We now passed the river, where we expected to meet some of
the natives, but discovered no signs of them.  The ground close to the
river does not rise to any considerable height, and the hills, which are
at a small distance, are covered with the spruce fir and small birch
trees, to their very summits.


_Tuesday, 21._--We embarked at half past one this morning, when the
weather was cold and unpleasant, and the wind South-West.  At ten, we
left the channels formed by the islands for the uninterrupted channel of
the river, where we found the current so strong, that it was absolutely
necessary to tow the canoe with a line.  The land on both sides was
elevated, and almost perpendicular, and the shore beneath it, which is
of no great breadth, was covered with a grey stone that falls from the
precipice.  We made much greater expedition with the line than we could
have done with the paddles.  The men in the canoe relieved two of those
on shore every two hours, so that it was very hard and fatiguing duty,
but it saved a great deal of that time which was so precious to us.  At
half past eight we landed at the same spot where we had already encamped
on the ninth instant.

In about an hour after our arrival, we were joined by eleven of the
natives, who were stationed farther up the river, and there were some
among them whom we had not seen during our former visit to this place.
The brother of our late guide, however, was of the party, and was eager
in his inquiries after him; but our account did not prove satisfactory.
They all gave evident tokens of their suspicion, and each of them made a
distinct harangue on the occasion.  Our Indians, indeed, did not
understand their eloquence, though they conjectured it to be very
unfavourable to our assertions.  The brother, nevertheless, proposed to
barter his credulity for a small quantity of beads, and promised to
believe every thing I should say, if I would gratify him with a few of
those baubles; but he did not succeed in his proposition, and I
contented myself with giving him the bow and arrows which our conductor
had left with us.

My people were now necessarily engaged in putting the fire-arms in
order, after the violent rain of the preceding day; an employment which
very much attracted the curiosity, and appeared in some degree, to
awaken the apprehensions of the natives.  To their inquiries concerning
the motives of our preparation, we answered by showing a piece of meat
and a goose, and informing them, that we were preparing our arms to
procure similar provisions: at the same time we assured them, though it
was our intention to kill any animals we might find, there was no
intention to hurt or injure them.  They, however, entreated us not to
discharge our pieces in their presence.  I requested the English chief
to ask them some questions, which they either did not or would not
understand; so that I failed in obtaining any information from them.

All my people went to rest; but I thought it prudent to sit up, in order
to watch the motions of the natives.  This circumstance was a subject of
their inquiry; and their curiosity was still more excited, when they saw
me employed in writing.  About twelve o'clock I perceived four of their
women coming along the shore; and they were no sooner seen by their
friends, than they ran hastily to meet them, and persuaded two of them,
who, I suppose, were young, to return, while they brought the other two,
who were very old, to enjoy the warmth of our fire; but, after staying
there for about half an hour, they also retreated.  Those who remained,
immediately kindled a small fire, and laid themselves down to sleep
round it, like so many whelps, having neither skins or garments of any
kind to cover them, notwithstanding the cold that prevailed.  My people
having placed their kettle of meat on the fire, I was obliged to guard
it from the natives, who made several attempts to possess themselves of
its contents; and this was the only instance I had hitherto discovered,
of their being influenced by a pilfering disposition.  It might,
perhaps, be a general opinion, that provisions were a common property.
I now saw the sun set for the first time since I had been here before.
During the preceding night, the weather was so cloudy, that I could not
observe its descent to the horizon.  The water had sunk, at this place,
upward of three feet since we had passed down the river.


_Wednesday, 22._--We began our march at half past three this morning,
the men being employed to tow the canoe.  I walked with the Indians to
their huts, which were at a greater distance than I had any reason to
expect, for it occupied three hours in hard walking to reach them.  We
passed a narrow, and deep river in our way, at the mouth of which the
natives had set their nets.  They had hid their effects, and sent their
young women into the woods, as we saw but very few of the former, and
none of the latter.  They had large huts built with drift-wood on the
declivity of the beach and in the inside the earth was dug away, so as
to form a level floor.  At each end was a stout fork, whereon was laid a
strong ridge-pole, which formed a support to the whole structure, and at
covering of spruce bark preserved it from the rain.  Various spars of
different heights were fixed within the hut, and covered with split fish
that hung on them to dry; and fires were made in different parts to
accelerate the operation.  There were rails also on the outside of the
building, which were hung around with fish, but in a fresher state than
those within.  The spawn is also carefully preserved and dried in the
same manner.  We obtained as many fish from them as the canoe could
conveniently contain, and some strings of beads were the price paid for
them, an article which they preferred to every other.  Iron they held in
little or no estimation.

During the two hours that I remained here, I employed the English chief
in a continual state of inquiry concerning these people.  The
information that resulted from this conference was as follows:

This nation or tribe is very numerous, with whom the Esquimaux had been
continually at variance, a people who take every advantage of attacking
those who are not in a state to defend themselves; and though they had
promised friendship, had lately, and in the most treacherous manner,
butchered some of their people.  As a proof of this circumstance, the
relations of the deceased showed us, that they had cut off their hair on
the occasion.  They also declared their determination to withdraw all
confidence in future from the Esquimaux, and to collect themselves in a
formidable body, that they might be enabled to revenge the death of
their friends.

From their account, a strong party of Esquimaux occasionally ascends
this river, in large canoes, in search of flint stones, which they
employ to point their spears and arrows.  They were now at their lake
due East from the spot where we then were, which was at no great
distance over land, where they kill the rein-deer, and that they would
soon begin to catch big fish for the winter stock.  We could not,
however, obtain any information respecting the lake in the direction in
which we were.  To the Eastward and Westward where they saw it, the ice
breaks up, but soon freezes again.

The Esquimaux informed them that they saw large canoes full of white men
to the Westward, eight or ten winters ago, from whom they obtained iron
in exchange for leather.  The lake where they met these canoes, is
called by them _Belhoullay Toe_, or White Man's Lake.  They also
represented the Esquimaux as dressing like themselves.  They wear their
hair short, and have two holes perforated, one on each side of the
mouth, in a line with the under lip, in which they place long beads that
they find in the lake.  Their bows are somewhat different from those
used by the natives we had seen, and they employ slings from whence they
throw stones with such dexterity that they prove very formidable weapons
in the day of battle.

We also learned in addition from the natives, that we should not see any
more of their relations, as they had all left the river to go in pursuit
of rein-deer for their provisions, and that they themselves should
engage in a similar expedition in a few days.  Rein-deer, bears,
wolverines, martens, foxes, hares, and white buffaloes are the only
quadrupeds in their country; and that the latter were only to be found
in the mountains to the Westward.

We proceeded with the line throughout the day, except two hours, when we
employed the sail.  We encamped at eight in the evening.  From the place
we quitted this morning, the banks of the river are well covered with
small wood, spruce, firs, birch, and willow.  We found it very warm
during the whole of our progress.


_Thursday, 23._--At five in the morning we proceeded on our voyage,
but found it very difficult to travel along the beach.  We observed
several places where the natives had stationed themselves and set their
nets since our passage downwards.  We passed a small river, and at five
o'clock our Indians put to shore in order to encamp, but we proceeded
onwards, which displeased them very much, from the fatigue they
suffered, and at eight we encamped at our position of the 8th instant.
The day was very fine, and we employed the towing line throughout the
course of it.  At ten, our hunters returned, sullen and dissatisfied.
We had not touched any of our provision stores for six days, in which
time we had consumed two rein-deer, four swans, forty-five geese, and a
considerable quantity of fish: but it is to be considered, that we were
ten men, and four women.  I have always observed, that the north men
possessed very hearty appetites, but they were very much exceeded by
those with me since we entered this river.  I should really have thought
it absolute gluttony in my people, if my own appetite had not increased
in a similar proportion.


[1] The longitude has since been discovered, by the dead reckoning, to
be 135. West.




CHAPTER VI.


JULY, 1789.

_Friday, 24._--At five we continued our course, but, in a very short
time, were under the necessity of applying to the aid of the line, the
stream being so strong as to render all our attempts unavailing to stem
it with the paddles.  We passed a small river, on each side of which the
natives and Esquimaux collect flint.  The bank is an high, steep, and
soft rock, variegated with red, green, and yellow hues.  From the
continual dripping of water, parts of it frequently fall and break into
small stony flakes like slate, but not so hard.  Among them are found
pieces of _Petrolium_, which bears a resemblance to yellow wax, but is
more friable.  The English chief informed me that rocks of a similar
kind are scattered about the country at the back of the Slave Lake,
where the Chepewyans collect copper.

At ten, we had an aft wind, and the men who had been engaged in towing,
re-embarked.  At twelve, we observed a lodge on the side of the river,
and its inhabitants running about in great confusion, or hurrying to the
woods.  Three men waited our arrival, though they remained at some
distance from us, with their bows and arrows ready to be employed; or at
least, that appeared to be the idea they wished to convey to us, by
continually snapping the strings of the former, and the signs they made
to forbid our approach.  The English chief, whose language they, in some
degree understood, endeavoured to remove their distrust of us; but till
I went to them with a present of beads, they refused to have any
communication with us.

When they first perceived our sail, they took us for the Esquimaux
Indians, who employ a sail in their canoes.  They were suspicious of our
designs, and questioned us with a view to obtain some knowledge of them.
On seeing us in possession of some of the clothes, bows, etc., which
must have belonged to some of the Deguthee Denees, or Quarrellers, they
imagined that we had killed some of them, and were bearing away the
fruits of our victory.  They appeared, indeed, to be of the same tribe,
though they were afraid of acknowledging it.  From their questions, it
was evident that they had not received any notice of our being in those
parts.

They would not acknowledge that they had any women with them, though we
had seen them running to the woods; but pretended that they had been
left at a considerable distance from the river, with some relations, who
were engaged in killing rein-deer.  These people had been here but a
short time, and their lodge was not yet completed; nor had they any fish
in a state of preparation for their provision.  I gave them a knife and
some beads for an horn-wedge or chisel, with which they split their
canoe-wood.  One of my Indians having broken his paddle, attempted to
take one of theirs, which was immediately contested by its owner, and on
my interfering to prevent this act of injustice, he manifested his
gratitude to me on the occasion.  We lost an hour and a half in this
conference.

The English chief was during the whole of the time in the woods, where
some of the hidden property was discovered, but the women contrived to
elude the search that was made after them.  Some of these articles were
purloined, but I was ignorant of this circumstance till we had taken our
departure, or I should have given an ample remuneration.  Our chief
expressed his displeasure at their running away to conceal themselves,
their property, and their young women, in very bitter terms.  He said
his heart was against those slaves; and complained aloud of his
disappointment in coming so far without seeing the natives, and getting
something from them.

We employed the sail and the paddle since ten this morning, and pitched
our tents at seven in the evening.  We had no sooner encamped than we
were visited by an Indian whom we had seen before, and whose family was
at a small distance up the river: at nine he left us.  The weather was
clear and serene.


_Saturday, 25._--We embarked this morning at a quarter past three, and
at seven we passed the lodge of the Indian who had visited us the
preceding evening.  There appeared to have been more than one family,
and we naturally concluded that our visitor had made such an
unfavourable report of us, as to induce his companions to fly on our
approach.  Their fire was not extinguished, and they had left a
considerable quantity of fish scattered about their dwelling.

The weather was now very sultry; but the current had relaxed of its
force, so that the paddle was sufficient for our progress during the
greatest part of the day.  The inland part of the country is mountainous
and the banks of the river low, but covered with wood, among which is
the poplar, but of small growth, and the first which we had seen on our
return.  A pigeon also flew by us, and hares appeared to be in great
plenty.  We passed many Indian encampments which we did not see in our
passage down the river.  About seven the sky, to the Westward, became of
a steel blue colour, with lightning and thunder.  We accordingly landed
to prepare ourselves against the coming storm; but before we could erect
our tents, it came on with such violence that we expected it to carry
every thing before it.  The ridgepole of my tent was broken in the
middle, where it was sound, and nine inches and an half in
circumference; and we were obliged to throw ourselves flat on the ground
to escape being wounded by the stones that were hurled about in the air
like sand.  The violence of the storm, however, subsided in a short
time, but left the sky overcast with the appearance of rain.


_Sunday, 26._--It rained from the preceding evening to this morning,
when we embarked at four o'clock.  At eight we landed at three large
Indian lodges.  Their inhabitants, who were asleep, expressed uncommon
alarm and agitation when they were awakened by us, though most of them
had seen us before.  Their habitations were crowded with fish, hanging
to dry in every part; but as we wanted some for present use, we sent
their young men to visit the nets, and they returned with abundance of
large white fish, to which the name has been given of _poisson inconnu_;
some of a round shape, and green colour; and a few white ones; all which
were very agreeable food.  Some beads, and a few other trifles, were
gratefully received in return.  These people are very fond of iron work
of any kind, and my men purchased several of their articles for small
pieces of tin.

There were five or six persons whom we had not seen before; and among
them was a Dog-rib Indian, whom some private quarrel had driven from his
country.  The English chief understood him as well as one of his own
nation, and gave the following account of their conversation:--

He had been informed by the people with whom he now lives, the Hare
Indians, that there is another river on the other side of the mountains
to the South-West, which falls into the _Belhoullay Teo_, or
White-man's Lake, in comparison of which that on whose banks we then
were, was but a small stream; that the natives were very large, and very
wicked, and kill common men with their eyes; that they make canoes
larger than ours; that those who inhabit the entrance of it kill a kind
of beaver, the skin of which is almost red; and that large canoes often
frequent it.  As there is no known communication by water with this
river, the natives who saw it went over the mountains.

As he mentioned that there were some beavers in this part of the
country, I told him to hunt it, and desire the others to do the same, as
well as the martens, foxes, beaver-eater or wolverine, &c., which they
might carry to barter for iron with his own nation, who are supplied
with goods by us, near their country.  He was anxious to know whether
`we should return that way; at the same time he informed us, that we
should see but few of the natives along the river, as all the young men
were engaged in killing rein-deer, near the Esquimaux Lake, which, he
also said, was at no great distance.  The latter he represented as very
treacherous, and added, that they had killed one of his people.  He told
us likewise, that some plan of revenge was meditating, unless the
offending party paid a sufficient price for the body of the murdered
person.

My Indians were very anxious to possess themselves of a woman that was
with the natives, but as they were not willing to part with her, I
interfered, to prevent her being taken by force; indeed, I was obliged
to exercise the utmost vigilance, as the Indians who accompanied me were
ever ready to take what they could from the natives, without making them
any return.  About twelve, we passed a river of some appearance, flowing
from the Eastward.  One of the natives who followed us, called it the
Winter Road River.  We did not find the stream strong to-day, along the
shore, as there were many eddy currents; we therefore employed the sail
during some hours of it, and went on shore for the night at half past
seven.


_Monday, 27._--The weather was now fine, and we renewed our voyage at
half past two.  At seven we landed where there were three families,
situated close to the rapids.  We found but few people; for as the
Indian who followed us yesterday had arrived here before us, we supposed
that the greater part had fled, on the intelligence which he gave of our
approach.  Some of these people we had seen before, when they told us
that they had left their property at a lake in the neighbourhood, and
had promised to fetch it before our return; but we now found them as
unprovided as when we left them.  They had plenty of fish, some of which
was packed up in birch bark.

During the time we remained with them, which was not more than two
hours, I endeavoured to obtain some additional intelligence respecting
the river which had been mentioned on the preceding day; when they
declared their total ignorance of it, but from the reports of others, as
they had never been beyond the mountains, on the opposite side of their
own river; they had, however, been informed that it was larger than that
which washed the banks whereon they lived, and that its course was
towards the mid-day sun.  They added, that there were people at a small
distance up the river, who inhabited the opposite mountains, and had
lately descended from them to obtain supplies of fish.  These people,
they suggested, must be well acquainted with the other river, which was
the object of my inquiry.  I engaged one of them, by a bribe of some
beads, to describe the circumjacent country upon the sand.  This
singular map he immediately undertook to delineate, and accordingly
traced out a very long point of land between the rivers, though without
paying the least attention to their courses, which he represented as
running into the great lake, at the extremity of which, as he had been
told by Indians of other nations, there was a Belhoullay Couin, or White
Man's Fort.  This I took to be Unalascha Fort, and consequently the
river to the West to be Cook's River; and that the body of water or sea
into which this river discharges itself at Whale Island, communicates
with Norton Sound.  I made an advantageous proposition to this man to
accompany me across the mountains to the other river, but he refused it.
At the same time he recommended me to the people already mentioned, who
were fishing in the neighbourhood, as better qualified to assist me in
the undertaking which I had proposed.

One of this small company of natives was grievously afflicted with
ulcers in his back, and the only attention which was paid to his
miserable condition, as far at least as we could discover, proceeded
from a woman, who carefully employed a bunch of feathers in preventing
the flies from settling upon his sores.

At ten this morning we landed near the lodges which had already been
mentioned to us, and I ordered my people to make preparation for passing
the remaining part of the day here, in order to obtain that familiarity
with the natives which might induce them to afford me, without reserve,
the information that I should require from them.  This object, however,
was in danger of being altogether frustrated, by a misunderstanding that
had taken place between the natives and my young Indians, who had
already arrived there.  Before the latter could disembark, the former
seized the canoe, and dragged it on shore, and in this act of violence
the boat was broken, from the weight of the persons in it.  This insult
was on the point of being seriously revenged, when I arrived, to prevent
the consequences of such a disposition.  The variation of the compass
was about twenty-nine degrees to the East.

At four in the afternoon I ordered my interpreter to harangue the
natives, assembled in council; but his long discourse obtained little
satisfactory intelligence from them.  Their account of the river to the
Westward, was similar to that which he had already received: and their
description of the inhabitants of that country was still more absurd and
ridiculous.  They represented them as being of a gigantic stature, and
adorned with wings; which, however, they never employed in flying.  That
they fed on large birds, which they killed with the greatest ease,
though common men would be certain victims of their ferocity if they
ventured to approach them.  They also described the people that
inhabited the mouth of the river as possessing the extraordinary power
of killing with their eyes, and devouring a large beaver at a single
meal.  They added that canoes of very large dimensions visited that
place.  They did not, however, relate these strange circumstances from
their own knowledge, but on the reports of other tribes, as they
themselves never ventured to proceed beyond the first mountains, where
they went in search of the small white buffaloes, as the inhabitants of
the other side endeavour to kill them whenever they meet.  They likewise
mentioned that the sources of those streams which are tributary to both
the great rivers are separated by the mountains.  It appeared to us,
however, that these people knew more about the country than they chose
to communicate, or at least reached me, as the interpreter, who had long
been tired of the voyage, might conceal such a part of their
communications as, in his opinion, would induce me to follow new routes,
or extend my excursions.

No sooner was the conference concluded, than they began to dance, which
is their favourite, and, except jumping, their only amusement.  In this
pastime old and young, male and female, continued their exertions, till
their strength was exhausted.  This exercise was accompanied by loud
imitations of the various noises produced by the rein-deer, the bear,
and the wolf.  When they had finished their antics, I desired the
English chief to renew the former subjects; which he did without
success.  I therefore assumed an angry air, expressed my suspicions that
they withheld their information, and concluded with a menace, that if
they did not give me all the satisfaction in their power, I would force
one of them along with me to-morrow, to point out the other river.  On
this declaration, they all, at one and the same moment, became sick, and
answered in a very faint tone, that they knew no more than they had
already communicated, and that they should die if I took any of them
away.  They began to persuade my interpreter to remain with them, as
they loved him as well as they did themselves, and that he would be
killed if he continued with me.  Nor did this proposition, aided as it
was by the solicitation of his women, fail of producing a considerable
effect upon him, though he endeavoured to conceal it from me.

I now found that it would be fruitless for me to expect any accounts of
the country, or the other great river, till I got to the river of the
Bear Lake, where I expected to find some of the natives, who promised to
wait for us there.  These people had actually mentioned this river to me
when we passed them, but I then paid no attention to that circumstance,
as I imagined it to be either a misunderstanding of my interpreter, or
that it was an invention which, with their other lies, might tend to
prevent me from proceeding down their river.

We were plentifully supplied with fish, as well dry as fresh, by these
people; they also gathered as many hurtle-berries as we chose, for which
we paid with the usual articles of beads, awls, knives, and tin.  I
purchased a few beaver-skins of them, which, according to their
accounts, are not very numerous in this country; and that they do not
abound in moose-deer and buffaloes.  They were alarmed for some of their
young men, who were killing geese higher up the river, and entreated us
to do them no harm.  About sunset I was under the necessity of shooting
one of their dogs, as we could not keep those animals from our baggage.
It was in vain that I had remonstrated on this subject, so that I was
obliged to commit the act which has been just mentioned.  When these
people heard the report of the pistol, and saw the dog dead, they were
seized with a very general alarm, and the women took their children on
their backs and ran into the woods.  I ordered the cause of this act of
severity to be explained, with the assurance that no injury would be
offered to themselves.  The woman, however, to whom the dog belonged,
was very much affected, and declared that the loss of five children,
during the preceding winter, had not affected her so much as the death
of this animal.  But her grief was not of very long duration; and a few
beads, &c., soon assuaged her sorrow.  But as they can without
difficulty get rid of their affliction, they can with equal ease assume
it, and feign sickness if it be necessary with the same versatility.
When we arrived this morning, we found the women in tears, from an
apprehension that we were come to take them away.  To the eye of an
European they certainly were objects of disgust; but there were those
among my party who observed some hidden charms in these females which
rendered them objects of desire, and means were found, I believe, that
very soon dissipated their alarms and subdued their coyness.

On the upper part of the beach, liquorice grew in great abundance and it
was now in blossom.  I pulled up some of the roots, which were large and
long; but the natives were ignorant of its qualities, and considered it
as a weed of no use or value.


_Tuesday, 28._--At four this morning I ordered my people to prepare
for our departure; and while they were loading the canoe, I went with
the English chief to visit the lodges, but the greater part of their
inhabitants had quitted them during the night, and those that remained
pretended sickness and refused to rise.  When, however, they were
convinced that we did not mean to take any of them with us, their
sickness abandoned them, and when we had embarked, they came forth from
their huts, to desire that we would visit their nets, which were at a
small distance up the river, and take all the fish we might find in
them.  We accordingly availed ourselves of this permission, and took as
many as were necessary for our own supply.

We landed shortly after where there were two more lodges, which were
full of fish, but without any inhabitants, who were probably with the
natives whom we had just left.  My Indians, in rummaging these places,
found several articles which they proposed to take; I therefore gave
beads and awls to be left as the purchase of them; but this act of
justice they were not able to comprehend, as the people themselves were
not present.  I took up a net and left a large knife in the place of it.
It was about four fathoms long, and thirty-two meshes in depth; these
nets are much more convenient to set in the eddy current than our long
ones.  This is the place that the Indians call a rapid, though we went
up it all the way with the paddle; so that the current could not be so
strong here, as in many other parts of the river; indeed, if it were so,
the difficulty of towing would be almost insuperable, as in many parts,
the rocks, which are of a great height, and rather project over the
water, leave no shore between them and the stream.  These precipices
abound in swallows' nests.  The weather was now very sultry, and at
eleven we were under the necessity of landing to gum our canoe.

In about an hour we set forward, and at one in the afternoon, went on
shore at a fire, which we supposed to have been kindled by the young
men, who, as we had been already informed, were hunting geese.  Our
hunters found their canoe and the fowl they had got, secreted in the
woods; and soon after, the people themselves, whom they brought to the
water side.  Out of two hundred geese, we picked thirty-six which were
eatable; the rest were putrid, and emitted a horrid stench.  They had
been killed some time without having been gutted, and in this state of
loathsome rottenness, we have every reason to suppose they are eaten by
the natives.  We paid for those which we had taken, and departed.  At
seven in the evening, the weather became cloudy and overcast; at eight
we encamped; at nine it began to thunder with great violence; a heavy
rain succeeded, accompanied with a hurricane, that blew down our tents,
and threatened to carry away the canoe, which had been fastened to some
trees with a cod-line.  The storm lasted two hours, and deluged us with
wet.


_Wednesday, 29._--Yesterday the weather was cloudy, and the heat
insupportable; and now we could not put on clothes enough to keep us
warm.  We embarked at a quarter past four with an aft wind, which drove
us on at a great rate, though the current is very strong.  At ten we
came to the other rapid, which we got up with the line on the West side,
where we found it much stronger than when we went down; the water had
also fallen at least five feet since that time, so that several shoals
appeared in the river which we had not seen before, One of my hunters
narrowly escaped being drowned in crossing a river that falls in from
the Westward, and is the most considerable, except the mountain river,
that flows in this direction.  We had strong Northerly and cold wind
throughout the whole of the day, and took our station for the night at a
quarter past eight.  We killed a goose and caught some young ones.


_Thursday, 30._--We renewed our voyage at four this morning, after a
very rainy night.  The weather was cloudy, but the cold had moderated,
and the wind was North-West.  We were enabled to employ the sail during
part of the day, and encamped at about seven in the evening.  We killed
eleven old geese and forty young ones which had just begun to fly.  The
English chief was very much irritated against one of his young men: that
jealousy occasioned this uneasiness, and that it was not without very
sufficient cause, was all I could discover.  For the last two or three
days we had eaten the liquorice root, of which there is a great
abundance on the banks of the river.  We found it a powerful astringent.


_Friday, 31._--The rain was continual throughout the night, and did not
subside till nine this morning, when we renewed our progress.  The wind
and weather the same as yesterday.  About three in the afternoon it
cleared up and the wind died away, when it became warm.  At five the
wind veered to the East, and brought cold along with it.  There were
plenty of whortle berries, raspberries, and a berry called _poire_,
which grows in the greatest abundance.  We were very much impeded in our
way by shoals of sand and small stones which render the water shallow at
a distance from the shore.  In other places the bank of the river is
lofty: it is formed of black earth and sand, and, as it is continually
falling, displayed to us, in some parts, a face of solid ice, to within
a foot of the surface.  We finished this day's voyage at a quarter
before eight, and in the course of it killed seven geese.

We now had recourse to our corn, for we had only consumed three days of
our original provision since we began to mount the current.  It was my
intention to have ascended the river on the South side from the last
rapid, to discover if there were any rivers of consequence that flow
from the Westward; but the sand-banks were so numerous and the current
so strong, that I was compelled to traverse to the opposite side, where
the eddy currents are very frequent, which gave us an opportunity of
setting our nets and making much more headway.




CHAPTER VII.


AUGUST, 1789.

_Saturday, 1._--We embarked at three this morning, the
weather being clear and cold, with the wind at South-East.  At three in
the afternoon we traversed and landed to take the canoe in tow: here was
an encampment of the natives, which we had reason to suppose they had
quitted the preceding day.  At five we perceived a family, consisting of
a man, two women, and as many children, stationed by the side of the
water, whom we had not seen before.  They informed us, that they had but
few fish, and that none of their friends were in the neighbourhood,
except the inhabitants of one lodge on the other side of the river, and
a man who belonged to them, and who was now occupied in hunting.  I now
found my interpreter very unwilling to ask such questions as were
dictated to him, from the apprehension, as I imagined, that I might
obtain such intelligence as would prevent him from seeing Athabasca this
season.  We left him with the Indian, and pitched our tents at the same
place where we had passed the night on the fifth of last month.  The
English chief came along with the Indian to our fire; and the latter
informed us that the native who went down part of the river with us had
passed there, and that we should meet with three lodges of his tribe
above the river of the Bear Lake.  Of the river to the Westward he knew
nothing, but from the relation of others.  This was the first night
since our departure from Athabasca, when it was sufficiently dark to
render the stars visible.


_Sunday, 2._--We set off at three this morning with the towing-line.
I walked with my Indians, as they went faster than the canoe, and
particularly as I suspected that they wanted to arrive at the huts of
the natives before me.  In our way, I observed several small springs of
mineral water running from the foot of the mountain, and along the beach
I saw several lumps of iron ore.  When we came to the river of the Bear
Lake, I ordered one of the young Indians to wait for my canoe, and I
took my place in their small canoe.  This river is about two hundred and
fifty yards broad at this place, the water clear and of a greenish
colour.  When I landed on the opposite shore, I discovered that the
natives had been there very lately from the print of their feet in the
sand.  We continued walking till five in the afternoon, when we saw
several smokes along the shore.  As we naturally concluded, that these
were certain indications where we should meet the natives who were the
objects of our search we quickened our pace; but, in our progress,
experienced a very sulphurous smell, and at length discovered that the
whole bank was on fire for a very considerable distance.  It proved to
be a coal mine, to which the fire had communicated from an old Indian
encampment.  The beach was covered with coals, and the English chief
gathered some of the softest he could find, as a black dye; it being the
mineral, as he informed me, with which the natives render their quills
black.

Here we waited for the large canoe, which arrived an hour after us.  At
half past ten we saw several Indian marks, which consisted of pieces of
bark fixed on poles, and pointing to the woods, opposite to which is an
old beaten road, that bore the marks of being lately frequented; the
beach also was covered with tracks.  At a small distance were the poles
of five lodges standing; where we landed and unloaded our canoe.  I then
despatched one of my men and two young Indians to see if they could find
any natives within a day's march of us.  I wanted the English chief to
go, but he pleaded fatigue, and that it would be of no use.  This was
the first time he had refused to comply with my desire, and jealousy, I
believe, was the cause of it in the present instance; though I had taken
every precaution that he should not have cause to be jealous of the
Canadians.  There was not, at this time, the least appearance of snow on
the opposite mountains, though they were almost covered with it, when we
passed before.  Set two nets, and at eleven o'clock at night the men and
Indians returned.  They had been to their first encampment, where there
were four fires, and which had been quitted a short time before; so that
they were obliged to make the circuit of several small lakes, which the
natives cross with their canoes.  This encampment was on the borders of
a lake which was too large for them to venture round it, so that they
did not proceed any further.  They saw several beavers and beaver lodges
in those small lakes.  They killed one of these animals whose fur began
to get long, a sure indication that the fall of the year approaches.
They also saw many old tracks of the moose and reindeer.  This is the
time when the rein-deer leave the plains to come to the woods, as the
mosquitoes begin to disappear; I, therefore, apprehended that we should
not find a single Indian on the river side, as they would be in or about
the mountains setting snares to take them.


_Monday, 3._--We proceeded with a strong Westerly wind, at four this
morning, the weather being cloudy and cold.  At twelve it cleared up and
became fine; the current also increased.  The water had fallen so much
since our passage down the river, that here, as in other places, we
discovered many shoals which were not then visible.  We killed several
geese of a larger size than those which we had generally seen.  Several
Indian encampments were seen along the river, and we landed at eight for
the night.


_Tuesday, 4._--At four in the morning we renewed our course, when it
was fine and calm.  The night had been cold and a very heavy dew had
fallen.  At nine we were obliged to land in order to gum the canoe, when
the weather became extremely warm.  Numerous tracks of rein-deer
appeared on the side of the river.  At half past five we took our
station for the night, and set the nets.  The current was very strong
all day, and we found it very difficult to walk along the beach, from
the large stones which were scattered over it.


_Wednesday, 5._--We raised our nets, but had not the good fortune to
take a single fish.  The water was now become so low that the eddy
currents would not admit of setting them.  The current had not relaxed
its strength; and the difficulty of walking along the beach was
continued.  The air was now become so cold; that our exercise, violent
as it was, scarce kept us warm.  We passed several points which we
should not have accomplished, if the canoe had been loaded.  We were
very much fatigued, and at six were glad to conclude our toilsome march.
The Indians killed two geese.  The women, who did not quit the canoe,
were continually employed in making shoes of moose-skin, for the men, as
a pair did not last more than a day.


_Thursday, 6._--The rain prevented us from proceeding till half past
six, when we had a strong aft wind, which, aided by the paddles, drove
us on at a great rate.  We encamped at six to wait for our Indians, whom
we had not seen since the morning; and at half past seven they arrived
very much dissatisfied with their day's journey.  Two days had now
elapsed since we had seen the least appearance of Indian habitations.


_Friday, 7._--We embarked at half past three, and soon after perceived
two rein-deer on the beach before us.  We accordingly checked our
course; but our Indians, in contending who should be the first to get
near these animals, alarmed and lost them.  We, however, killed a female
rein-deer, and from the wounds in her hind legs, it was supposed that
she had been pursued by wolves, who had devoured her young one: her
udder was full of milk, and one of the young Indians poured it among
some boiled corn, which he ate with great delight, esteeming it a very
delicious food.  At five in the afternoon we saw an animal running along
the beach, but could not determine whether it was a grey fox or a dog.
In a short time, we went ashore for the night, at the entrance of a
small river, as I thought there might be some natives in the vicinity of
the place.  I ordered my hunters to put their fusees in order, and gave
them ammunition to proceed on a hunting party the next day; they were
also instructed to discover if there were any natives in the
neighbouring mountains.  I found a small canoe at the edge of the woods,
which contained a paddle and a bow: it had been repaired this spring,
and the workmanship of the bark excelled any that I had yet seen.  We
saw several encampments in the course of the day.  The current of the
river was very strong, and along the points equal to rapids.


_Saturday, 8._--The rain was very violent throughout the night, and
continued till the afternoon of this day, when the weather began to
clear, with a strong, cold, and Westerly wind.  At three the Indians
proceeded on the hunting expedition, and at eight they returned without
having met with the least success; though they saw numerous tracks of
the rein-deer.  They came to an old beaten road, which one of them
followed for some time; but it did not appear to have been lately
frequented.  The rain now returned, and continued till the morning.


_Sunday, 9._--We renewed our voyage at half past three, the weather
being cold and cloudy; but at ten it became clear and moderate.  We saw
another canoe at the outside of the wood, and one of the Indians killed
a dog, which was in a meagre, emaciated condition.  We perceived various
places where the natives had made their fires; for these people reside
but a short time near the river, and remove from one bank to the other,
as it suits their purposes.  We saw a path which was connected with
another on the opposite side of the river.  The water had risen
considerably since last night, and there had been a strong current
throughout the day.  At seven we made to the shore and encamped.


_Monday, 10._--At three this morning we returned to our canoe; the
weather fine and clear, with a light wind from the South-East.  The
Indians were before us in pursuit of game.  At ten we landed opposite to
the mountains which we had passed on the second of the last month, in
order to ascertain the variation of the compass at this place: but this
was accomplished in a very imperfect manner, as I could not depend on my
watch.  One of the hunters joined us here, fatigued and unsuccessful.
As these mountains are the last of any considerable magnitude on the
South-West side of the river, I ordered my men to cross to that side of
it, that I might ascend one of them.  It was near four in the afternoon
when I landed, and I lost no time in proceeding to the attainment of my
object.  I was accompanied only by a young Indian, as the curiosity of
my people was subdued by the fatigue they had undergone; and we soon had
reason to believe that we should pay dearly for the indulgence of our
own.  The wood, which was chiefly of spruce firs, was so thick that it
was with great difficulty we made our way through it.  When we had
walked upwards of an hour, the under-wood decreased, while the white
birch and poplar were the largest and tallest of their kind that I had
ever seen.  The ground now began to rise, and was covered with small
pines, and at length we got the first view of the mountains since we had
left the canoe; as they appeared to be no nearer to us, though we had
been walking for three hours, than when we had seen them from the river,
my companion expressed a very great anxiety to return; his shoes and
leggins were torn to pieces, and he was alarmed at the idea of passing
through such bad roads during the night.  I persisted, however, in
proceeding, with a determination to pass the night on the mountains and
return on the morrow.  As we approached them, the ground was quite
marshy, and we waded in water and grass up to the knees, till we came
within a mile of them, when I suddenly sunk up to my arm-pits, and it
was with some difficulty that I extricated myself from this disagreeable
situation.  I now found it impossible to proceed; to cross this marshy
ground in a straight line was impracticable, and it extended so far to
the right and left, that I could not attempt to make the circuit; I
therefore determined to return to the canoe, and arrived there about
midnight, very much fatigued with this fruitless journey.


_Tuesday, 11._--We observed several tracks along the beach, and an
encampment at the edge of the woods, which appeared to be five or six
days old.  We should have continued our route along this side of the
river, but we had not seen our hunters since yesterday morning.  We
accordingly embarked before three, and at five traversed the river, when
we saw two of them coming down in search of us.  They had killed no
other animals than one beaver, and a few hares.  According to their
account, the woods were so thick that it was impossible to follow the
game through them.  They had seen several of the natives' encampments,
at no great distance from the river and it was their opinion that they
had discovered us in our passage down it, and had taken care to avoid
us; which accounted for the small number we had seen on our return.

I requested the English chief to return with me to the other side of the
river, in order that he might proceed to discover the natives, whose
tracks and habitations we had seen there; but he was backward in
complying with my desire, and proposed to send the young men; but I
could not trust to them, and at the same time was become rather doubtful
of him.  They were still afraid lest I should obtain such accounts of
the other river as would induce me to travel overland to it, and that
they should be called upon to accompany me.  I was, indeed, informed by
one of my own people, that the English chief, his wives and companions,
had determined to leave me on this side of the Slave Lake, in order to
go to the country of the Beaver Indians, and that about the middle of
the winter he would return to that lake, where he had appointed to meet
some of his relations, who, during the last spring, had been engaged in
war.

We now traversed the river, and continued to track the Indians till past
twelve, when we lost all traces of them; in consequence, as we imagined,
of their having crossed to the Eastern side.  We saw several dogs on
both shores; and one of the young Indians killed a wolf, which the men
ate with great satisfaction: we shot, also, fifteen young geese that
were now beginning to fly.  It was eight when we took our evening
station, having lost four hours in making our traverses.  There was no
interruption of the fine weather during the course of this day.


_Wednesday, 12._--We proceeded on our voyage at three this morning,
and despatched the two young Indians across the river, that we might not
miss any of the natives that should be on the banks of it.  We saw many
places where fires had been lately made along the beach, as well as fire
running in the woods.  At four we arrived at an encampment which had
been left this morning.  Their tracks were observable in several places
in the woods, and as it might be presumed that they could not be at any
great distance, it was proposed to the chief to accompany me in search
of them.  We accordingly, though with some hesitation on his part,
penetrated several miles into the woods, but without discovering the
objects of our research.  The fire had spread all over the country, and
had burned about three inches of the black, light soil, which covered a
body of cold clay, that was so hard as not to receive the least
impression of our feet.  At ten we returned from our unsuccessful
excursion.  In the mean time the hunters had killed seven geese.  There
were several showers of rain, accompanied with gusts of wind and
thunder.  The nets had been set during our absence.


_Thursday, 13._--The nets were taken up, but not one fish was found in
them; and at half past three we continued our route, with very
favourable weather.  We passed several places, where fires had been made
by the natives, and many tracks were perceptible along the beach.  At
seven we were opposite the island where our pemmican had been concealed:
two of the Indians were accordingly despatched in search of it, and it
proved very acceptable, as it rendered us more independent of the
provisions which were to be obtained by our fowling pieces, and
qualified us to get out of the river without that delay which our
hunters would otherwise have required.  In a short time we perceived a
smoke on the shore to the South-West, at the distance of three leagues,
which did not appear to proceed from any running fire.  The Indians, who
were a little way ahead of us, did not discover it, being engaged in
the pursuit of a flock of geese, at which they fired several shots, when
the smoke immediately disappeared; and in a short time we saw several of
the natives run along the shore, some of whom entered their canoes.
Though we were almost opposite to them, we could not cross the river
without going further up it, from the strength of the current; I
therefore ordered our Indians to make every possible exertion, in order
to speak with them, and wait our arrival.  But as soon as our small
canoe struck off, we could perceive the poor affrighted people hasten to
the shore, and after drawing their canoes on the beach, hurry into the
woods.  It was past ten before we landed at the place where they had
deserted their canoes, which were four in number.  They were so
terrified that they had left several articles on the beach.  I was very
much displeased with my Indians, who instead of seeking the natives,
were dividing their property.  I rebuked the English chief with some
severity for his conduct, and immediately ordered him, his young men,
and my own people, to go in search of the fugitives, but their fears had
made them too nimble for us, and we could not overtake them.  We saw
several dogs in the woods, and some of them followed us to our canoe.

The English chief was very much displeased at my reproaches, and
expressed himself to me in person to that effect.  This was the very
opportunity which I wanted, to make him acquainted with my
dissatisfaction for some time past.  I stated to him that I had come a
great way, and at a very considerable expense, without having completed
the object of my wishes, and that I suspected he had concealed from me a
principal part of what the natives had told him respecting the country,
lest he should be obliged to follow me: that his reason for not killing
game, &c., was his jealousy, which likewise prevented him from looking
after the natives as he ought; and that we had never given him any cause
for any suspicions of us.  These suggestions irritated him in a very
high degree, and he accused me of speaking ill words to him; he denied
the charge of jealousy, and declared that he did not conceal any thing
from us; and that as to the ill success of their hunting, it arose from
the nature of the country, and the scarcity, which had hitherto
appeared, of animals in it.  He concluded by informing me that he would
not accompany me any further: that though he was without ammunition, he
could live in the same manner as the slaves (the name given to the
inhabitants of that part of the country), and that he would remain among
them.  His harangue was succeeded by a loud and bitter lamentation; and
his relations assisted the vociferations of his grief; though they said
that their tears flowed for their dead friends.  I did not interrupt
their grief for two hours, but as I could not well do without them, I
was at length obliged to soothe it, and induce the chief to change his
resolution, which he did, but with great apparent reluctance when we
embarked as we had hitherto done.

The articles which the fugitives had left behind them, on the present
occasion, were bows, arrows, snares for moose and rein-deer, and for
hares; to these may be added a few dishes, made of bark, some skins of
the marten and the beaver, and old beaver robes, with a small robe made
of the skin of the lynx.  Their canoes were coarsely made of the bark of
the spruce-fir, and will carry two or three people.  I ordered my men to
remove them to the shade, and gave most of the other articles to the
young Indians.  The English chief would not accept of any of them.  In
the place, and as the purchase of them, I left some cloth, some small
knives, a file, two fire-steels, a comb, rings, with beads and awls.  I
also ordered a marten skin to be placed on a proper mould, and a beaver
skin to be stretched on a frame, to which I tied a scraper.  The Indians
were of opinion that all these articles would be lost, as the natives
were so much frightened that they would never return.  Here we lost six
hours; and on our quitting the place, three of the dogs which I have
already mentioned followed us along the beach.

We pitched our tents at half past eight, at the entrance of the river of
the mountain; and while the people were unloading the canoe, I took a
walk along the beach, and on the shoals, which being uncovered since we
passed down, by the sinking of the waters, were now white with a saline
substance.  I sent for the English chief to sup with me, and a dram or
two dispelled all his heart-burning and discontent.  He informed me that
it was a custom with the Chepewyan chiefs to go to war after they had
shed tears, in order to wipe away the disgrace attached to such a
feminine weakness, and that in the ensuing spring he should not fail to
execute his design; at the same time he declared his intention to
continue with us as long as I should want him.  I took care that he
should carry some liquid consolation to his lodge, to prevent the return
of his chagrin.  The weather was fine, and the Indians killed three
geese.


_Friday, 14._--At a quarter before four this morning, we returned to
our canoe, and went about two miles up the river of the mountains.  Fire
was in the ground on each side of it.  In traversing, I took soundings,
and found five, four and an half, and three and an half fathoms water.
Its stream was very muddy, and formed a cloudy streak along the water of
the great river, on the West side to the Eastern rapid, where the waters
of the two rivers at length blend in one.  It was impossible not to
consider it as an extraordinary circumstance, that the current of the
former river should not incorporate with that of the latter, but flow,
as it were, in distinct streams at so great a distance, and till the
contracted state of the channel unites them.  We passed several
encampments of the natives, and a river which flowed in from the North,
that had the appearance of being navigable.  We concluded our voyage of
this day at half past five in the afternoon.  There were plenty of
berries, which my people called _poires:_ they are of a purple hue,
somewhat bigger than a pea, and of a luscious taste; there were also
gooseberries, and a few strawberries.


_Saturday, 15._--We continued our course from three in the morning
till half past five in the afternoon.  We saw several encampments along
the beach, till it became too narrow to admit them; when the banks rose
into a considerable degree of elevation, and there were more eddy
currents.  The Indians killed twelve geese, and berries were collected
in great abundance.  The weather was sultry throughout the day.


_Sunday, 16._--We continued our voyage at a quarter before four, and
in five hours passed the place where we had been stationed on the 13th
of June.  Here the river widened, and its shores became flat.  The land
on the North side is low, composed of a black soil, mixed with stones,
but agreeably covered with the aspen, the poplar, the white birch, the
spruce-fir, &c.  The current was so moderate, that we proceeded upon it
almost as fast as in dead water.  At twelve we passed an encampment of
three fires, which was the only one we saw in the course of the day.
The weather was the same as yesterday.


_Monday, 17._--We proceeded at half past three; and saw three
successive encampments.  From the peculiar structure of the huts, we
imagined that some of the Red-Knife Indians had been in this part of the
country, though it is not usual for them to come this way.  I had last
night ordered the young Indians to precede us, for the purpose of
hunting, and at ten we overtook them.  They had killed five young swans;
and the English chief presented us with an eagle, three cranes, a small
beaver, and two geese.  We encamped at seven this evening on the same
spot which had been our resting-place on the 29th of June.


_Tuesday, 18._--At four this morning I equipped all the Indians for an
hunting excursion, and sent them onward, as our stock of provision was
nearly exhausted.  We followed at half past six, and crossed over to the
North shore, where the land is low and scarcely visible in the horizon.
It was near twelve when we arrived.  I now got an observation, when it
was 61. 33. North latitude.  We were near five miles to the North of the
main channel of the river.  The fresh tracks and beds of buffaloes were
very perceptible.

Near this place a river flowed in from the Horn Mountains, which are at
no great distance.  We landed at five in the afternoon, and before the
canoe was unloaded, the English chief arrived with the tongue of a cow,
or female buffalo, when four men and the Indians were despatched for the
flesh; but they did not return till it was dark.  They informed me, that
they had seen several human tracks in the sand on the opposite island.
The fine weather continued without interruption.


_Wednesday, 19._--The Indians were again sent forward in pursuit of
game; and some time being employed in gumming the canoe, we did not
embark till half past five, and at nine we landed to wait the return of
the hunters.  I here found the variation of the compass to be about
twenty degrees East.

The people made themselves paddles and repaired the canoe.  It is an
extraordinary circumstance for which I do not pretend to account, that
there is some peculiar quality in the water of this river, which
corrodes wood, from the destructive effect it had on the paddles.  The
hunters arrived at a late hour, without having seen any large animals.
Their booty consisted only of three swans and as many geese.  The women
were employed in gathering cranberries and crowberries, which were found
in great abundance.


_Thursday, 20._--We embarked at four o'clock, and took the North side
of the channel, though the current was on that side much stronger, in
order to take a view of the river, which had been mentioned to me in our
passage downwards, as flowing from the country of the Beaver Indians,
and which fell in hereabouts.  We could not, however, discover it, and
it is probable that the account was referable to the river which we had
passed on Tuesday.  The current was very strong, and we crossed over to
an island opposite to us; here it was still more impetuous, and assumed
the hurry of a rapid.  We found an awl and a paddle on the side of the
water; the former we knew to belong to the Knisteneaux: I supposed it to
be the chief Merde-d'ours and his party, who went to war last spring,
and had taken this route on their return to Athabasca.  Nor is it
improbable that they may have been the cause that we saw so few of the
natives on the banks of this river.  The weather was raw and cloudy, and
formed a very unpleasant contrast to the warm, sunny days, which
immediately preceded it.  We took up our abode for the night at half
past seven, on the Northern shore, where the adjacent country is both
low and flat.  The Indians killed live young swans, and a beaver.  There
was an appearance of rain.


_Friday, 21._--The weather was cold, with a strong Easterly wind and
frequent showers, so that we were detained in our station.  In the
afternoon the Indians got on the track of a moose-deer, but were not so
fortunate as to overtake it.


_Saturday, 22._--The wind veered round to the Westward, and continued
to blow strong and cold.  We, however, renewed our voyage, and in three
hours reached the entrance of the Slave Lake, under half sail; with the
paddle, it would have taken us at least eight hours.  The Indians did
not arrive till four hours after us; but the wind was so violent, that
it was not expedient to venture into the lake; we therefore set a net,
and encamped for the night.  The women gathered large quantities of the
fruit already mentioned, called Pathagomenan, and cranberries,
crowberries, mooseberries, &c.  The Indians killed two swans and three
geese.


_Sunday, 23._--The net produced but five small pike, and at five we
embarked, and entered the lake by the same channel through which we had
passed from it.  The South-West side would have been the shortest, but
we were not certain of there being plenty of fish along the coast, and
we were sure of finding abundance of them in the course we preferred.
Besides, I expected to find my people at the place where I left them, as
they had received orders to remain there till the fall.

We paddled a long way into a deep bay to get the wind, and having left
our mast behind us, we landed to cut another.  We then hoisted sail, and
were driven on at a great rate.  At twelve the wind and swell were
augmented to such a degree, that our under yard broke, but luckily the
mast thwart resisted, till we had time to fasten down the yard with a
pole, without lowering sail.  We took in a large quantity of water, and
had our mast given way, in all probability, we should have filled and
sunk.  Our course continued to be very dangerous, along a flat
lee-shore, without being able to land till three in the afternoon.  Two
men were continually employed in bailing out the water which we took in
on all sides.  We fortunately doubled a point that screened us from the
wind and swell, and encamped for the night, in order to wait for our
Indians.  We then set our nets, made a yard and mast, and gummed the
canoe.  On visiting the nets, we found six white fish, and two pike.
The women gathered cranberries and crowberries in great plenty; and as
the night came on, the weather became more moderate.


_Monday, 24._--Our nets this morning produced fourteen white fish, ten
pikes, and a couple of trouts.  At five we embarked with a light breeze
from the South, when we hoisted sail, and proceeded slowly, as our
Indians had not come up with us.  At eleven we went on shore to prepare
the kettle, and dry the nets; at one we were again on the water.  At
four in the afternoon, we perceived a large canoe with a sail, and two
small ones ahead; we soon came up with them, when they proved to be
M. Le Roux and an Indian, with his family, who were on a hunting party,
and had been out twenty-five days.  It was his intention to have gone as
far as the river, to leave a letter for me, to inform me of his
situation.  He had seen no more Indians where I had left him; but had
made a voyage to Lac la Marte, where he met eighteen small canoes of the
Slave Indians, from whom he obtained five pack of skins, which were
principally those of the marten.  There were four Beaver Indians among
them, who had bartered the greatest part of the above mentioned articles
with them, before his arrival.  They informed him that their relations
had more skins, but that they were afraid to venture with them, though
they had been informed that people were to come with goods to barter for
them.  He gave these people a pair of ice chisels each, and other
articles, and sent them away to conduct their friends to the Slave Lake,
where he was to remain during the succeeding winter.

We set three nets and in a short time caught twenty fish of different
kinds.  In the dusk of the evening, the English chief arrived with a
most pitiful account that he had like to have been drowned in trying to
follow us; and that the other men had also a very narrow escape.  Their
canoe, he said, had broken on the swell, at some distance from the
shore, but as it was flat, they had with his assistance been able to
save themselves.  He added, that he left them lamenting, lest they
should not overtake me, if I did not wait for them; he also expressed
his apprehensions that they would not be able to repair their canoe.
This evening I gave my men some rum to cheer them after their fatigues.


_Tuesday, 25._--We rose this morning at a late hour, when we visited
the nets, which produced but few fish: my people, indeed, partook of the
stores of M. Le Roux.  At eleven, the young Indians arrived, and
reproached me for having left them so far behind.  They had killed two
swans, and brought me one of them.  The wind was Southerly throughout
the day, and too strong for us to depart, as we were at the foot of a
grand traverse.  At noon I had an observation, which gave 61. 29. North
latitude.  Such was the state of the weather, that we could not visit
our nets.  In the afternoon, the sky darkened, and there was lightning,
accompanied with loud claps of thunder.  The wind also veered round to
the Westward, and blew a hurricane.


_Wednesday, 26._--It rained throughout the night, and till eight in
the morning, without any alteration in the wind.  The Indians went on a
hunting excursion, but returned altogether without success in the
evening.  One of them was so unfortunate as to miss a moose-deer.  In
the afternoon there were heavy showers, with thunder, &c.


_Thursday, 27._--We embarked before four, and hoisted sail.  At nine
we landed to dress victuals, and wait for M. Le Roux and the Indians.
At eleven, we proceeded with fine and calm weather.  At four in the
afternoon, a light breeze sprang up to the Southward, to which we spread
our sail, and at half past five in the afternoon, went on shore for the
night.  We then set our nets.  The English chief and his people being
quite exhausted with fatigue, he this morning expressed his desire to
remain behind, in order to proceed to the country of the Beaver Indians,
engaging at the same time, that he would return to Athabasca in the
course of the winter.


_Friday, 28._--It blew very hard throughout the night, and this
morning, so that we found it a business of some difficulty to get to our
nets; our trouble, however, was repaid by a considerable quantity of
white fish, trout, &c.  Towards the afternoon the wind increased.  Two
of the men who had been gathering berries saw two moose-deer, with the
tracks of buffaloes and rein-deer.  About sunset we heard two shots, and
saw a fire on the opposite side of the bay; we accordingly made a large
fire also, that our position might be determined.  When we were all gone
to bed, we heard the report of a gun very near us, and in a very short
time the English chief presented himself drenched with wet, and in much
apparent confusion informed me that the canoe with his companions was
broken to pieces; and that they had lost their fowling pieces, and the
flesh of a rein-deer, which they had killed this morning.  They were, he
said, at a very short distance from us; and at the same time requested
that fire might be sent to them, as they were starving with cold.  They
and his women, however, soon joined us, and were immediately
accommodated with dry clothes.


_Saturday, 29._--I sent the Indians on an hunting party, but they
returned without success; and they expressed their determination not to
follow me any further, from their apprehension of being drowned.


_Sunday, 30._--We embarked at one this morning, and took from the nets
a large trout, and twenty white fish.  At sunrise a smart aft breeze
sprang up, which wafted us to M. Le Roux's house by two in the
afternoon.  It was late before he and our Indians arrived; when,
according to a promise which I had made the latter, I gave them a
plentiful equipment of iron ware, ammunition, tobacco, &c., as a
recompense for the toil and inconvenience they had sustained with me.

I proposed to the English chief to proceed to the country of the Beaver
Indians, and bring them to dispose of their peltries to M. Le Roux, whom
I intended to leave there the ensuing winter.  He had already engaged to
be at Athabasca, in the month of March next, with plenty of furs.


_Monday, 31._--I sat up all night to make the necessary arrangements
for the embarkation of this morning, and to prepare instructions for
M. Le Roux.  We obtained some provisions here, and parted from him at
five, with fine calm weather.  It soon, however, became necessary to
land on a small island, to stop the leakage of the canoe, which had been
occasioned by the shot of an arrow under the water mark, by some Indian
children.  While this business was proceeding, we took the opportunity
of dressing some fish.  At twelve, the wind sprang up from the
South-East, which was in the teeth of our direction, so that our
progress was greatly impeded.  I had an observation, which gave
62. 15. North latitude.  We landed at seven in the evening, and pitched
our tents.


_Tuesday, 1._--We continued our voyage at five in the morning, the
weather calm and fine, and passed the Isle a la Cache about twelve, but
could not perceive the land, which was seen in our former passage.  On
passing the Carreboeuf Islands, at five in the afternoon, we saw land to
the South by West, which we thought was the opposite side of the lake,
stretching away to a great distance.  We landed at half past six in the
evening, when there was thunder, and an appearance of change in the
weather.


_Wednesday, 2._--It rained and blew hard the latter part of the night.
At half past five the rain subsided, when we made a traverse of twelve
miles, and took in a good deal of water.  At twelve it became calm, when
I had an observation, which gave 61. 36. North latitude.  At three in
the afternoon, there was a slight breeze from the Westward which soon
increased, when we hoisted sail, and took a traverse of twenty-four
miles, for the point of the old Fort, where we arrived at seven, and
stopped for the night.  This traverse shortened our way three leagues;
indeed we did not expect to have cleared the lake in such a short time.


_Thursday, 3._--It blew with great violence throughout the night, and
at four in the morning we embarked, when we did not make more than five
miles three hours, without stopping; notwithstanding we were sheltered
from the swell by a long bank.  We now entered the small river, where
the wind could have no effect upon us.  There were frequent showers in
the course of the day, and we encamped at six in the evening.


_Friday, 4._--The morning was dark and cloudy, nevertheless we
embarked at five; but at ten it cleared up.  We saw a few fowl, and at
seven in the evening, went on shore for the night.


_Saturday, 5._--The weather continued to be cloudy.  At five we
proceeded, and at eight it began to rain very hard.  In about half an
hour we put to shore, and were detained for the remaining part of the
day.


_Sunday, 6._--It rained throughout the night, with a strong North
wind.  Numerous flocks of wild fowl passed to the Southward; at six in
the afternoon, the rain, in some measure, subsided, and we embarked, but
it soon returned with renewed violence; we, nevertheless took the
advantage of an aft wind, though it cost us a complete drenching.  The
hunters killed seven, geese, and we pitched our tents at half past six
in the evening.


_Monday, 7._--We were on the water at five this morning, with a head
wind, accompanied by successive showers.  At three in the afternoon, we
ran the canoe on a stump, and it filled with water before she could be
got to land.  Two hours were employed in repairing her, and at seven in
the evening, we took our station for the night.


_Tuesday, 8._--We renewed our voyage at half past four in a thick mist
which lasted till nine, when it cleared away, and fine weather
succeeded.  At three in the afternoon we came to the first
carrying-place, _Portage des Noyes_, and encamped at the upper end of it
to dry our clothes, some of which were almost rotten.


_Wednesday, 9._--We embarked at five in the morning, and our canoe was
damaged on the men's shoulders, who were bearing it over the
carrying-place, called _Portage du Chetique_.  The guide repaired her,
however, while the other men were employed in carrying the baggage.  The
canoe was `gummed at the carrying-place named the _Portage de la
Montagne_.  After having passed the carrying-places, we encamped at the
Dog River, at half past four in the afternoon, in a state of great
fatigue.  The canoe was again gummed, and paddles were made to replace
those that had been broken in ascending the rapids.  A swan was the only
animal we killed throughout the day.


_Thursday, 10._--There was rain and violent wind during the night: in
the morning the former subsided and the latter increased.  At half past
five we continued our course with a North-Westerly wind.  At seven we
hoisted sail: in the forenoon there were frequent showers of rain and
hail, and in the afternoon two showers of snow: the wind was at this
time very strong, and at six in the evening we landed at a lodge of
Knisteneaux, consisting of three men and five women and children.  They
were on their return from war, and one of them was very sick: they
separated from the rest of their party in the enemy's country, from
absolute hunger.  After this separation, they met with a family of the
hostile tribe, whom they destroyed.  They were entirely ignorant of the
fate of their friends, but imagined that they had returned to the Peace
River, or had perished for want of food.  I gave medicine to the
sick,[1] and a small portion of ammunition to the healthy; which,
indeed, they very much wanted, as they had entirely lived for the last
six months on the produce of their bows and arrows.  They appeared to
have been great sufferers by their expedition.


_Friday, 11._--It froze hard during the night, and was very cold
throughout the day, with an appearance of snow.  We embarked at half
past four in the morning, and continued our course till six in the
evening, when we landed for the night at our encampment of the third of
June.


_Saturday, 12._--The weather was cloudy, and also very cold.  At
eight, we embarked with a North-East wind, and entered the Lake of the
Hills.  About ten, the wind veered to the West-ward, and was as strong
as we could bear it with the high sail, so that we arrived at Chepewyan
fort by three o'clock in the afternoon, where we found Mr. Macleod, with
five men busily employed in building a new house.  Here, then, we
concluded this voyage, which had occupied the considerable space of one
hundred and two days.


[1] This man had conceived an idea, that the people with whom he had
been at war, had thrown medicine at him, which had caused his present
complaint, and that he despaired of recovery.  The natives are so
superstitious, that this idea alone was sufficient to kill him.  Of this
weakness I took advantage; and assured him, that if he would never more
go to war with such poor defenceless people, I would cure him.  To this
proposition he readily consented, and on my giving him medicine, which
consisted of Turlington's balsam, mixed in water, I declared that it
would lose its effect, if he was not sincere in the promise that he made
me.  In short, he actually recovered, was true to his engagements, and
on all occasions manifested his gratitude to me.




CHAPTER VIII.


OCTOBER 10, 1792.

Having made every necessary preparation, I left Fort Chepewyan, to
proceed up the Peace River, I had resolved to go as far as our most
distant settlement, which would occupy the remaining part of the season,
it being the route by which I proposed to attempt my next discovery,
across the mountains from the source of that river; for whatever
distance I could reach this fall, would be a proportionate advancement
of my voyage.

In consequence of this design, I left the establishment of Fort
Chepewyan, in charge of Mr. Roderic Mackenzie, accompanied by two canoes
laden with the necessary articles for trade: we accordingly steered West
for one of the branches that communicates with the Peace River, called
the Pine River; at the entrance of which we waited for the other canoes,
in order to take some supplies from them, as I had reason to apprehend
they would not be able to keep up with us.  We entered the Peace River
at seven in the morning of the 12th, taking a Westerly course.  It is
evident, that all the land between it and the Lake of the Hills, as far
as the Elk River, is formed by the quantity of earth and mud, which is
carried down by the streams of those two great rivers.  In this space
there are several lakes.  The Lake Clear Water, which is the deepest,
Lake Vassieu, and the Athabasca Lake, which is the largest of the three,
and whose denomination in the Knisteneaux language implies, a flat, low,
swampy country, subject to inundations.  The two last lakes are now so
shallow, that from the cause just mentioned, there is every reason to
expect, that in a few years they will have exchanged their character,
and become extensive forests.

This country is so level, that, at some seasons, it is entirely
overflowed, which accounts for the periodical influx and reflux of the
waters between the Lake of the Hills and the Peace River.

On the 13th at noon we came to the Peace Point; from which, according to
the report of my interpreter, the river derives its name; it was the
spot where the Knisteneaux and Beaver Indians settled their dispute; the
real name of the river and point being that of the land which was the
object of contention.

When this country was formerly invaded by the Knisteneaux, they found
the Beaver Indians inhabiting the land about Portage la Loche; and the
adjoining tribe were those whom they called slaves.  They drove both
these tribes before them; when the latter proceeded down the river from
the Lake of the Hills, in consequence of which that part of it obtained
the name of the Slave River.  The former proceeded up the river; and
when the Knisteneaux made peace with them, this place was settled to be
the boundary.

We continued our voyage, and I did not find the current so strong in
this river as I had been induced to believe, though this, perhaps, was
not the period to form a correct notion of that circumstance, as well as
of the breadth, the water being very low; so that the stream has not
appeared to me to be in any part that I have seen, more than a quarter
of a mile wide.

The weather was cold and raw, so as to render our progress unpleasant;
at the same time we did not relax in our expedition, and, at three on
the afternoon of the 17th we arrived at the falls.  The river at this
place is about four hundred yards broad, and the fall about twenty feet
high: the first carrying place is eight hundred paces in length, and the
last, which is about a mile onwards, is something more than two-thirds
of that distance.  Here we found several fires, from which circumstance
we concluded, that the canoes destined for this quarter, which left the
fort some days before us, could not be far a-head.  The weather
continued to be very cold, and the snow that fell during the night was
several inches deep.

On the morning of the 18th, as soon as we got out of the draught of the
fall, the wind being at North-East, and strong in our favour, we hoisted
sail, which carried us on at a considerable rate against the current,
and passed the Loon River before twelve o'clock; from thence we soon
came along the Grande Isle, at the upper end of which we encamped for
the night.  It now froze very hard: indeed, it had so much the
appearance of winter, that I began to entertain some alarm lest we might
be stopped by the ice: we therefore set off at three o'clock in the
morning of the 19th, and about eight we landed at the Old Establishment.

The passage to this place from Athabasca having been surveyed by
M. Vandrieul, formerly in the Company's service, I did not think it
necessary to give any particular attention to it; I shall, however, just
observe, that the course in general from the Lake of the Hills to the
falls, is Westerly, and as much to the North as the South of it, from
thence it is about West-South-West to this fort.

The country in general is low from our entrance of the river to the
falls, and with the exception of a few open parts covered with grass, it
is clothed with wood.  Where the banks are very low the soil is good,
being composed of the sediment of the river and putrefied leaves and
vegetables.  Where they are more elevated, they display a face of
yellowish clay, mixed with small stones.  On a line with the falls, and
on either side of the river, there are said to be very extensive plains,
which afford pasture to numerous herds of buffaloes Our people a-head
slept here last night, and, from their carelessness, the fire was
communicated to and burned down, the large house, and was proceeding
fast to the smaller buildings when we arrived to extinguish it.

We continued our voyage, the course of the river being South-West by
West one mile and a quarter, South by East one mile, South-West by South
three miles, West by South one mile, South-South-West two miles, South
four miles, South-West seven miles and a half, South by West one mile,
North-North-West two miles and a half, South five miles and a quarter,
South-West one mile and a half, North-East by East three miles and a
half, and South-East by East one mile.

We overtook Mr. Finlay, with his canoes, who was encamped near the fort
of which he was going to take the charge, during the ensuing winter, and
made every necessary preparative for a becoming appearance on our
arrival the following morning.  Although I had been since the year 1787,
in the Athabasca country, I had never yet seen a single native of that
part of it which we had now reached.

At six o'clock in the morning of the 20th, we landed before the house
amidst the rejoicing and firing of the people, who were animated with
the prospect of again indulging themselves in the luxury of rum, of
which they had been deprived since the beginning of May; as it is a
practice throughout the North-West neither to sell or give any rum to
the natives during the summer.  There was at this time only one chief
with his people, the other two being hourly expected with their bands;
and on the 21st and 22d they all arrived except the war chief and
fifteen men.  As they very soon expressed their desire of the expected
regale, I called them together, to the number of forty-two hunters, or
men capable of bearing arms, to offer some advice, which would be
equally advantageous to them and to us, and I strengthened my admonition
with a nine gallon cask of reduced rum, and a quantity of tobacco.  At
the same time I observed, that as I should not often visit them, I had
instanced a greater degree of liberality than they had been accustomed
to.

The number of people belonging to this establishment amounts to about
three hundred, of which, sixty are hunters.  Although they appear from
their language to be of the same stock as the Chepewyans, they differ
from them in appearance, manners, and customs, as they have adopted
those of their former enemies, the Knisteneaux; they speak their
language, as well as cut their hair, paint, and dress like them, and
possess their immoderate fondness for liquor and tobacco.  This
description, however, can be applied only to the men, as the women are
less adorned even than those of the Chepewyan tribes.  We could not
observe, without some degree of surprize, the contrast between the neat
and decent appearance of the men, and the nastiness of the women.  I am
disposed, however, to think, that this circumstance is generally owing
to the extreme submission and abasement of the latter: for I observed,
that one of the chiefs allowed two of his wives more liberty and
familiarity than were accorded to the others, as well as a more becoming
exterior, and their appearance was proportionably pleasing; I shall,
however, take a future opportunity to speak more at large on this
subject.

There were frequent changes of the weather in the course of the day, and
it froze rather hard in the night.  The thickness of the ice in the
morning was a sufficient notice for me to proceed.  I accordingly gave
the natives such good counsel as might influence their behaviour,
communicated my directions to Mr.  Findlay for his future conduct, and
took my leave under several vollies of musketry, on the morning of the
23d.  I had already dispatched my loaded canoes two days before, with
directions to continue their progress without waiting for me.  Our
course was South-South-East one mile and an half, South three quarters;
East seven miles and a half, veering gradually to the West four miles
and an half, South-East by South three miles, South-East three miles and
an half, East-South-East to Long Point three miles, South-West one mile
and a quarter, East by North four miles and three quarters, West three
miles and an half, West-South-West one mile, East by South five miles
and a half, South three miles and three quarters, South-East by South
three miles, East-South-East three miles, East-North-East one mile, when
there was a river that flowed in on the right, East two miles and an
half, East-South-East half a mile, South-East by South seven miles and
an half, South two miles, South-South-East three miles and an half; in
the course of which we passed an island South by West, where a rivulet
flowed in on the right, one mile, East one mile and an half, South five
miles, South-East by South four miles and an half, South-West one mile,
South-East by East four miles and an half, West-South-West half a mile,
South-West six miles and three quarters, South-East by South one mile
and an half, South one mile and an half; South-East by South two miles,
South-West three quarters of a mile, South-East by South two miles and
an half, East by South one mile and three quarters, South two miles,
South-East one mile and an half, South-South-East half a mile, East by
South two miles and an half, North-East three miles, South-West by West
short distance to the establishment of last year, East-North-East four
miles, South-South-East one mile and three quarters, South half a mile,
South-East by South three quarters of a mile, North-East by East one
mile, South three miles, South-South-East one mile and three quarters,
South by East four miles and an half, South-West three miles, South by
East two miles, South by West one mile and an half, South-West two
miles, South by West four miles and an half, South-West one mile and an
half, and South by East three miles.  Here we arrived at the forks of
the river; the Eastern branch appearing to be not more than half the
size of the Western one.  We pursued the latter, in a course South-West
by West six miles, and landed on the first of November at the place
which was designed to be my winter residence: indeed, the weather had
been so cold and disagreeable, that I was more than once apprehensive of
our being stopped by the ice, and, after all, it required the utmost
exertions of which my men were capable to prevent it; so that on their
arrival they were quite exhausted.  Nor were their labours at an end,
for there was not a single hut to receive us: it was, however, now in my
power to feed and sustain them in a more comfortable manner.

We found two men here who had been sent forward last spring, for the
purpose of squaring timber for the erection of a house, and cutting
pallisades, &c., to surround it.  With them was the principal chief of
the place, and about seventy men, who had been anxiously waiting for our
arrival, and received us with every mark of satisfaction and regard
which they could express.  If we might judge from the quantity of powder
that was wasted on our arrival, they certainly had not been in want of
ammunition, at least during the summer.

The banks of the river, from the falls, are in general lofty, except at
low woody points, accidentally formed in the manner I have already
mentioned: they also displayed, in all their broken parts, a face of
clay, intermixed with stone; in some places there likewise appeared a
black mould.

In the summer of 1788, a small spot was cleared at the Old
Establishment, which is situated on a bank thirty feet above the level
of the river, and was sown with turnips, carrots, and parsnips.  The
first grew to a large size, and the others thrived very well.  An
experiment was also made with potatoes and cabbage, the former of which
were successful; but for want of care the latter failed.  The next
winter the person who had undertaken this cultivation, suffered the
potatoes which had been collected for seed, to catch the frost, and none
had been since brought to this place.  There is not the least doubt but
the soil would be very productive, if a proper attention was given to
its preparation.  In the fall of the year 1787, when I first arrived at
Athabasca, Mr. Pond was settled on the banks of the Elk River, where he
remained for three years, and had formed as fine a kitchen garden as I
ever saw in Canada.

In addition to the wood which flourished below the fall, these banks
produce the cypress tree, arrow-wood, and the thorn.  On either side of
the river, though invisible from it, are extensive plains, which abound
in buffaloes, elks, wolves, foxes, and bears.  At a considerable
distance to the Westward, is an immense ridge of high land or mountains,
which take an oblique direction from below the falls, and are inhabited
by great numbers of deer, which are seldom disturbed, but when the
Indians go to hunt the beaver in those parts; and, being tired with the
flesh of the latter, vary their food with that of the former.  This
ridge bears the name of the Deer Mountain.  Opposite to our present
situation, are beautiful meadows, with various animals grazing on them,
and groves of poplars irregularly scattered over them.

My tent was no sooner pitched, than I summoned the Indians together, and
gave each of them about four inches of Brazil tobacco, a dram of
spirits, and lighted the pipe.  As they had been very troublesome to my
predecessor, I informed them that I had heard of their misconduct, and
was come among them to inquire into the truth of it.  I added also that
it would be an established rule with me to treat them with kindness, if
their behaviour should be such as to deserve it; but, at the same time,
that I should be equally severe if they failed in those returns which I
had a right to expect from them.  I then presented them with a quantity
of rum, which I recommended to be used with discretion; and added some
tobacco, as a token of peace.  They, in return, made me the fairest
promises; and having expressed the pride they felt on beholding me in
their country, took their leave.

I now proceeded to examine my situation; and it was with great
satisfaction I observed that the two men who had been sent hither some
time before us, to cut and square timber for our future operations, had
employed the intervening period with activity and skill.  They had
formed a sufficient quantity of pallisades of eighteen feet long, and
seven inches in diameter, to inclose a square spot of an hundred and
twenty feet; they had also dug a ditch of three feet deep to receive
them; and had prepared timber, planks, &c., for the erection of a house.

I was, however, so much occupied in settling matters with the Indians,
and equipping them for their winter hunting, that I could not give my
attention to any other object, till the 7th, when I set all hands at
work to construct the fort, build the house, and form store houses.  On
the preceding day the river began to run with ice, which we call the
last of the navigation.  On the 11th we had a South-West wind, with
snow.  On the 16th, the ice stopped in the other fork, which was not
above a league from us, across the intervening neck of land.  The water
in this branch continued to flow till the 22d, when it was arrested also
by the frost, so that we had a passage across the river, which would
last to the latter end of the succeeding April.  This was a fortunate
circumstance, as we depended for our support upon what the hunters could
provide for us, and they had been prevented by the running of the ice
from crossing the river.  They now, however, very shortly procured us as
much fresh meat as we required, though it was for some time a toilsome
business to my people, for as there was not yet a sufficient quantity of
snow to run sledges, they were under the necessity of loading themselves
with the spoils of the chase.

On the 27th the frost was so severe that the axes of the workmen became
almost as brittle as glass.  The weather was very various until the 2d
of December, when my Farenheit's thermometer was injured by an accident,
which rendered it altogether useless.  The table on page 353, therefore,
from the 16th of November, to this unfortunate circumstance, is the only
correct account of the weather which I can offer.

[Transcriber's Note: The table referenced in the preceding paragraph
follows immediately below.]


Month|Date|Hours|Below|Above|Wind|Weather||Hour|Below|Above|Wind|Weather||Hour|Below|Above|Wind|Weather||
 and |    |A.M. |  0  |  0  |    |       ||    |  0  |  0  |    |       ||P.M.|  0  |     |    |       ||
year |    |     |     |     |    |       ||    |     |     |    |       ||    |     |     |    |       ||
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1792 |    |     |     |     |    |       ||    |     |     |    |       ||    |     |     |    |       ||
Nov. |16  | 8½  | ... | 10  |....|       || 12 |  0  |  14 |....|       || 6  |  .. | 15  |....|Cloudy.||
     |17  | 8½  | ... | 17  |....|Clear. || 12 | ..  |  20 |... |Clear. || 6  |  .. | 23  |....|ditto. ||
     |18  | 9   | ... | 19  |ESE |       || 12 | ..  |  21 |ESE |       || 6  |  .. | 14  |ESE |Clear. ||
     |19  | 8   | ... |  5  |NW  |       || 12 | ..  |  12 |NW  |       || 6  |  .. |  9  |NW  |ditto. ||Strong wind
     |20  | 8½  | ... |  4  |... |ditto. || 12 | ..  |  14 |....|ditto. || 6  |  .. | 19  |....|Cloudy.||At 10 last night 1 below 0
     |21  | 8   | ... | 19  |... |       || 12 | ..  |  25 |....|       || 6  |  .. | 23  |....|...... ||River stopped.
     |22  | 9   | ... | 27  |... |Cloudy.|| 12 | ..  |  29 |....|Cloudy.|| 6  |  .. | 28  |....|Cloudy ||Ice drove and water rises.
     |23  | 8½  | ... |  2  |N   |Clear. || 12 | ..  |  23 |....|Clear. || 6  |  .. | 15  |N   |...... ||Ice drove again.
     |24  | 8   |   3 | ..  |... |ditto. || 12 |  0  |   0 |NE  |       || 6  |   1 | ..  |NE  |Cloudy.||
     |25  | 8   |  14 | ..  |... |ditto. || 12 |  4  |  .. |....|       || 6  |   2 | ..  |....|Clear. ||Snowed last night 2 inches.
     |26  | 9   |  10 | ..  |N   |ditto. || 12 | ..  |   2 |N   |       || 6  |   0 |  0  |N   |ditto. ||
     |27  | 8   |   2 | ..  |... |ditto. || 12 |  3  |   2 |....|       || 6  |  .. |  1  |SW  |ditto. ||
     |28  | 8   |  16 | ..  |... |ditto. || 12 | ..  |  .. |....|       || 6  |   7 | ..  |S   |ditto. ||After dark, overcast.
     |29  | 7½  | ... |  4  |... |Cloudy.|| 12 | ..  |  13 |....|       || 6  |  .. |  7  |....|ditto. ||Ditto, a little wind S. W.
     |30  | 9   | ... |  4  |S   |       || 12 | ..  |  13 |S   |Cloudy.|| 6  |  .. | 16  |S   |Cloudy.||
 Dec.| 1  | 9   | ... |  0  |... |       || 12 |     |  19 |SE  |       || 5  |  .. | 24  |SE  |ditto. ||Fell 3 inches snow last night.
     | 2  | 9   | ... | 27  |E   |       ||    |     |     |    |       || 5  |     |     |    |       ||



In this situation, removed from all those ready aids which add so much
to the comfort, and, indeed is a principal characteristic of civilized
life, I was under the necessity of employing my judgment and experience
in accessory circumstances by no means connected with the habits of my
life, or the enterprise in which I was immediately engaged.  I was now
among the people who had no knowledge whatever of remediable application
to those disorders and accidents to which man is liable in every part of
the globe, in the distant wilderness, as in the peopled city.  They had
not the least acquaintance with that primitive medicine, which consists
in an experience of the healing virtues of herbs and plants, and is
frequently found among uncivilised and savage nations.  This
circumstance now obliged me to be their physician and surgeon, as a
woman with a swelled breast, which had been lacerated with flint stones
for the cure of it, presented herself to my attention, and by
cleanliness, poultices, and healing salve, I succeeded in producing a
cure.  One of my people, also, who was at work in the woods, was
attacked with a sudden pain near the first joint of his thumb, which
disabled him from holding an axe.  On examining his arm, I was
astonished to find a narrow red stripe, about half an inch wide, from
his thumb to his shoulder; the pain was violent, and accompanied with
chilliness and shivering.  This was a case that appeared to be beyond my
skill, but it was necessary to do something towards relieving the mind
of the patient, though I might be unsuccessful in removing his
complaint.  I accordingly prepared a kind of volatile liniment of rum
and soap, with which I ordered his arm to be rubbed, but with little or
no effect.  He was in a raving state throughout the night, and the red
stripe not only increased, but was also accompanied with the appearance
of several blotches on his body, and pains in his stomach; the propriety
of taking some blood from him now occurred to and I ventured, from
absolute necessity, to perform that operation for the first time, and
with an effect that justified the treatment.  The following night
afforded him rest, and in a short time he regained his former health and
activity.

I was very much surprised on walking in the woods at such an inclement
period of the year, to be saluted with the singing of birds, while they
seemed by their vivacity to be actuated by the invigorating power of a
more genial season.  Of these birds the male was something less than the
robin; part of his body is of a delicate fawn colour, and his neck,
breast, and belly, of a deep scarlet; the wings are black, edged with
fawn colour, and two white stripes running across them; the tail is
variegated, and the head crowned with a tuft.  The female is smaller
than the male, and of a fawn colour throughout, except on the neck,
which is enlivened by an hue of glossy yellow.  I have no doubt but they
are constant inhabitants of this climate, as well as some other small
birds which we saw, of a grey colour.








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