Nothing now left but
pea meal. Crossed lake, no trail on east side, hoping to get trout
where I took a mess in outlet coming up. Not a nibble. Too cold
or something. Camped in lee of trees. Boys had feed of blue
berries while I fished. Ate half stick of erbswurst. Good camp-
fire, but I rather blue and no one talkative. So hungry for home -
and fish.
Friday, October 2nd. - Cold west wind. Temp. 30 degrees. Cold -
snowed a bit in the evening. Took packs early in day and hurried
across to tamarack pole fishing place. Only two trout before noon.
Ate them with pea meal and boys went back for the canoe. Only two
days, and easy ones, to our big lake. Then only two days to the
river with its good fishing. That makes us feel good. It means a
good piece nearer home.
Saturday, October 3rd. - Bright crisp morning. Temp. 21 degrees.
Snow squalls. Left tamarack pole place and portaged south over old
route, crossing lakes, etc., to our camp of 29th August, on little
pond. Wet feet and cold, but not a bad day. I lugged all the
packs and boys canoe. Beautiful moon and clear night. All sat
late by camp fire talking and thinking of home. Pleased to have
another fair march back of us - happy.
Sunday, October 4th. - Temp. 10 degrees. Bright clear cold A.M.
Everything frozen in morning. Pond frozen over. Two trout left.
One for breakfast, boiled with erbswurst. Portaged to lake about
three-quarter mile away. Crossed it. Some ice to annoy. George
borrowed Wallace's pistol saying he saw a partridge. He killed
four. Lord's with us. We need 'em bad. I'm weak and nervous.
Must have vacation. Wallace notices it. Have not taken bath for
two weeks, ashamed of my ribs which stick out like skeletons.
Monday, October 5th. - Temp. 30 degrees. Wind S.E. Snow on the
ground. Up late. Waited Wallace to mend moccasins. Late start.
Crossed bad swamp to big lake, wading icy water. Dried feet and
drank cup soup. Stopped island in P.M. to get berries. All talk
much of home now. At camp fire George told me of his plans to get
married and his love story.
Tuesday, October 6th. - Temp. 48 degrees. Rain and snow in A.M.
George shot partridge before breakfast. Rained most of night.
Started expecting to portage to lake first west of Height of Land.
Got into rough sea, exciting time. Found river of considerable
size emptying into that lake. Ran into it and prepared to finish
in the morning. George and I ran on rock shooting rapid.
Beautiful night - cold. Feel all cold.
Wednesday, October 7th. - Thermometer out of order. Heavy frost.
Ran down river into lake, west of barren mountain, climbed to scout
on day after entering lake W. of Height of Land. Stopped and fed
well on our moss berries and cranberries.
