Saw
big waters to west, big blue hill, blue sky-line where we hope
Michikamau lies hidden. Pint berries raw for supper. Otherwise,
venison and broth, thickened with three spoonfuls of flour, each
meal.
Sunday, September 6th. - Temp. 5 A.M. 38 degrees. First snow came,
mixed with nasty cold rain. Nasty, raw, west wind. Worked in it
most of day, portaging 2 1/2 miles N.W. Tried carrying all stuff
at one trip. Grub low. Big water ahead. Believe this big water
will lead to Michikamau. Almost a desperate hope. If it does not
and we find no water route, I scarcely see how we can reach the
caribou grounds in time to see the crossing and meet the
Nascaupees. Without that I am doubtful of the success of this
trip, and failure makes me shudder. Besides it is liable to make
us all very hungry. We must push on harder, that's all. And get
there somehow.
Monday, September 7th. - Temp. at 5 A.M. 48 degrees. N.W. wind,
slight. Rain by showers. On portage crossed worst swamp of trip.
In to my knees and fell down with heavy pack on my back.
Floundered out in nasty shape. Found small stream flowing N.W.
toward our big water. I caught about thirty trout, not big, while
Wallace and George brought up outfit and canoe by stream. Very
slow work. All very hungry in P.M. Stopped for pot of soup.
Found it getting dark and stopped to camp. Last meal of venison in
bag. Must get fish. Ate half our trout to-night, boiled and
thickened with flour. Drank last bit of cocoa. No sugar. Boys
not scared. No talk of quitting. Don't just see where we are
coming out.
Tuesday, September 8th. - Cold raw N.W. wind, no rain, partly clear.
Observation noon, 54 degrees l minute 21 seconds. Aired and dried
blankets. Followed stream down to very shoal bay of our big water,
which like the will-o'-wisp has led us on. Only ten trout, mostly
small. Weather too raw. Very depressing to have it so when meat
is out. On to caribou grounds is the watchword. Gave up trouting
and started west on our big lake. Stopped to climb mountain. Ate
some cranberries. Saw a few old caribou tracks. Big mountain to
west of us. Islands or something between, many low, flat, wooded.
Wednesday, September 9th. - BIG DAY. Warm, clear. Temp. 5 A.M. 29
degrees. Ice in cups. Slept without sweater or socks last night.
Cold but slept well. Beautiful cold crisp morning. Up at first
dawn. Inspiring, this good weather. George boiled a little bacon
and rice together, and a little flour made sort of porridge for
breakfast. Very, very good. No fish or game ahead. Went to big
hill mentioned yesterday. George and I walked about 4 miles and
back getting to its top through spruce burnings.
