Once more in the canoes our way still led among the islands up the
swift flowing water. It was not till 5.15 P.M. that we at last
reached the point where the Nascaupee River first receives the
waters of the great lake. Paddling against a rather strong head
wind we continued westward near a long island, landing shortly
before 7 P.M. on its outer shore to make our first camp on Lake
Michikamau.
It was a beautiful place, and had evidently been a favourite with
the Indians. There were the remains of many old camps there. Here
the flies and mosquitoes were awful. It made me shiver even to
feel them creeping over my hands, not to speak of their bites.
Nowhere on the whole journey had we found them so thick as they
were that night. It was good to escape into the tent.
Next morning I rose early. It was cloudy but calm, and Michikamau
was like a pond. How I wondered what fortune would be ours in the
voyage on this big water. The canoes seemed so tiny here. I
called the men at 6.30 A.M., and at nine we were ready to start.
Before leaving, Job blazed two trees at the landing, and in one he
placed a big flat stone on which I wrote with a piece of flint Joe
brought me,
HUBBARD EXPEDITION,
ARRIVED HERE, AUGUST 2ND 1905.
Underneath it I wrote the names of all the party. Then we embarked
and it was "All aboard for George River!" our next objective point.
Our way led among the islands through water which seemed to promise
good fishing. We put out the trolls, and waited hopefully to see
what might be the prospect for testing the namaycush (great lake
trout) of Michikamau for lunch. We had not long to wait. Soon I
saw Joe in the other canoe hauling in his line, and a few minutes
after there was a tug at mine. I got a nice little one. I had my
line out a second time for just a short while when there was a
harder tug on it, and I knew I had a big one. We had no gaff, and
Job said we had better go ashore to land him. We did, and I was
just pulling him up the beach when he gave one mighty leap and was
gone. When my line came in I found the heavy wire which held the
hooks had been straightened out, and he had gone off with them in
his mouth. Joe's fish was a big one, about fifteen pounds, the men
thought.
