Have heard them before. Can do it. WILL.
Monday, July 13th. - This noon the _Julia Sheridan_, Deep Sea
Mission Boat, Dr. Simpson, came. We said good-bye and embarked for
Northwest River. Had good informal supper in little cabin. Good
easy yachting time. Stopped about 11 P.M. behind St. John's Island
for the night.
Tuesday, July 14th. - Landed about 2 P.M. at Northwest River.
Thomas M'Kenzie in charge. Bully fellow, all alone, lonesome, but
does not admit it. Tall, wiry, hospitable in the extreme. Not
busy in winter. Traps some. Wishes he could go with us. Would
pack up to-night and be ready in the morning. Can get no definite
information as to our route. M'Kenzie says we are all right; can
make it of course. Gave away bag of flour. Discarded single
blanket, 5 lbs. can lard. Got at Rigolette yesterday, 10 lbs.
sugar, 5 lbs. dried apples, 4 1/2 lbs. tobacco. Bought here 5 lbs.
sugar. M'Kenzie gave me an 8 lb. 3 in. gill net.
Wednesday, July 15th. - Wind light, southeast all day, light clouds.
Lat. noon 53 degrees 35 minutes. Left Northwest River Post 9 A.M.
Camped early because of rain and stream which promised trout. No
trout caught. Lake looks like Lake George, with lower hills. Much
iron ore crops from bluffs on south side. Makes me a bit homesick
to think of Lake George. Wish I could see my girl for a while and
be back here. Would like to drop in at the Michigan farm too.
Thursday, July 16th. - Fair day. Wind southeast. Lat. at noon 53
degrees 45 minutes. Six miles above Grand Lake on Northwest River.
Started at 5.30 A.M. At 9 rounded point and saw mouth of river.
George and I ferried outfit across northwest arm of lake in two
loads. Wind too high for whole load. Saw steel trap. Probably
belonged to poor M'Lean, who was drowned. Had cup of tea at 10.
Stopped at noon three-quarters of an hour for observation.
Northwest River runs through spruce-covered valley, between high
hills, easily seen from lake, but not in river as spruce is too
close. In many places high banks, many turns, many little rapids.
Water low. Have to pole and track. See that we have our work cut
out. Doubt if we can make more than 10 miles a day up this river.
I took tracking line; George and Wallace the poles. Sand flies
awful - nasty, vindictive, bite out chunks, and streak our hands and
faces with blood. Mosquitoes positively friendly by contrast.
Tried net. Could not see, then tried dope - some help. Eating much
and not rustling for fish or game. Want to lighten outfit.
Friday, July 17th. - Rain and clouds. Rained hard in the night.
Awoke dreading to start out in it. Got breakfast to let George
sleep.
