the banks of the river improved as we advanced to-day ; some firs
and poplars were intermixed with the willows. We passed through
two creeks, formed by islands, and encamped on a pleasant spot on
the north shore, having only made six miles and three-quarters
actual distance.
The next day we pursued our course along the river; "the dogs
had the greatest difficulty in dragging their heavy burdens through
the snow. We halted to refresh them at the foot of Sturgeon Eiver,
and obtained the latitude 53s 51' 41" N . This is a small stream
which issues from a neighbouring lake. We encamped near to
Musquito Point, having walked about nine miles. The termination
of the day’s journey was a great relief to me, who had been suffering
during the greater part of it,- in consequence of my feet having been
galled by the snow-shoes; this, however, is an evil which few escape
on their initiation to winter travelling. ' It excites no pity from the
more experienced companions of the journey, who travel on as fast
as they can regardless of your pain.
Mr. Isbester and an Orkney man joined us from Cumberland
House, and brought some pemmican that we had left behind; a
supply which was very seasonable after our recent loss. The general
occupation of Mr. Isbester during the winter, is to follow or find
out the Indians, and collect their furs, and his present journey will
appear adventurous to persons accustomed to the certainty of
travelling on a well-known road. H e was going in search of a band
of Indians, of whom no information had been received since last
October, and his only guide for finding them was their promise
to hunt in a certain quarter; but he looked at the jaunt with indifference,
and calculated on meeting them in six or seven days, for
which time only he had provision. Few persons in this country
suffer more from want of food than those occasionally do who are
employed on this service. They are furnished with a sufficiency of
provision to serve until they reach the part where the Indians are
expected to he ; but it frequently occurs that, on their arrival at the
spot, they have- gone elsewhere, and that a recent fall of snow has
hidden their track, in: which case, the voyagers have to wander
about in search of them; and it often happens, when they succeed
in finding the Indians, that they are unprovided with meat. Mr.
Isbester had been placed in this distressing situation only a few
weeks ago, and passed four days without either himself or his dogs
tasting, food. A t length, when he had determined on killing one of
the dogs to satisfy his hunger, he happily met with a beaten track,
which led him to some Indian lodges, where he obtained food.
The morning of the 21st was cold, but pleasant for travelling. We
left Mr. Isbester and his companion, and crossed the peninsula of
Musquito Point, to avoid a detour of several miles, which the river
makes, Though we put up at an early hour, we gained eleven miles
this day. Our encampment was at the lower extremity of Tobin’s
Falls. The snow being less deep on the rough ice which enclosed this
rapid, we proceeded, on the 22d, at a quicker pace than usual, but
at the expense of great suffering to Mr. Pack, myself, and Hepburn,
whose feet were much galled. After passing Tobin’s Falls,
the river expands to the breadth of five hundred yards, and its banks
are well wooded with pines, poplars, birch, and willows. Many
tracks of moose-deer and wolves were observed near the encampment.
On the 23d the sky was generally overcast, and there were several
snow showers. We saw two wolves and some foxes cross the
river in the course of the day, and passed many tracks of the
moose and red deer. Soon after we had encamped the snow fell
heavily, which was an advantage to us after we had retired to
rest, by its affording an additional covering to our blankets. The
next morning, at breakfast time, two men arrived from Carlton on
their way to Cumberland. Having the benefit of their track, we
were enabled, to our great joy, to march at a quick pace without
snow-shoes. My only regret was, that the party proceeded too fast
O 2