Little sugar left. A bit in morning and evening cups.
Friday, August 21st. - Rain all day. Wind changed to north, colder.
Portaged to little lake above camp. Found wigwams at each end of
portage. Looks like old Montagnais trail. Then more lakes and
short portages. Made 4 miles very easily, then, after pot of tea
and big trout feed, portaged 1 mile west to another little lake,
just over Height of Land. Our stream tumbles off the mountain, and
does not come from this last-named lake at all. Little 4-foot
ridge turns it. Went into camp very early, chilled through.
Saturday, August 22nd. - Portaged across Height of Land. Delighted
to find on end of lake to westward many Indian signs. Believe this
enters southeast bay of Michikamau, or a lake connected with it.
Rained hard by spells. West wind. Camped on island early in P.M.
after a very short march, to repair canoe, and to wait for head
wind to fall. Caribou meat roasted at noon. Two loaves of bread,
dried apples and tea - no meat or fish - supper.
Sunday, August 23rd. - West wind. Rain and clear by spells. Drank
last of chocolate - two pots - for breakfast. Dried blankets in a
sunny spell, and about 10 A.M. started. Coming to point round
which we expected to get view of lake ahead - "Like going into a
room where there is a Christmas tree," said George. Narrow channel
around point 2 1/2 miles from east end. Thence we saw a long
stretch of lake running west. Believe it Michikamau's S.E. bay
sure. Mighty glad. Ate boiled dried caribou, pea soup, tea.
Dried caribou hurts our teeth badly. Went west 2 1/2 miles and
climbed barren hill on north side of lake. Ate blue berries, bake-
apple berries, and moss berries. Saw on north, water in big and
little masses, also on N.W. many islands of drift, rocky and spruce
clad. One long stretch of lake, like a river, runs east and west,
about 2 miles north. Wonder if it is Low's Northwest River. Went
west on our lake 3 miles. Caught a fish like pike, with big square
head, 3 1/2 lbs. Found our lake ends, stream falling in from
another lake west. Came back 2 miles to outlet into waters north.
Camped. All feel bully. On Michikamau waters sure.
Monday, August 24th. - Rain, north wind, cold. In camp all day.
Bad head wind. George and I scouted. All restless at inactivity
but George. He calm, philosophical, cheerful, and hopeful always -
a wonderful man.
Tuesday, August 25th. - Cold N.E. wind. Rain. Made start. Nasty
portage into Northwest River (?). Wallace turned round and started
to carry his pack back. Wind fair part of time. Part of time
dangerously heavy. Landed on point running out from north shore.
Wigwam poles. Have diarrhoea. All chilled. Not sure of way
ahead, but not worried. Camped at 5 P.M. Nice camp in clump of
balsam.
