A rapid near the lake. I thought it might not be
very deep. Then, seeing that I could not do any better, I thought
I would wade out a piece and the rest I would swim to the other
shore.
I started out, and up to my waist before I got any distance out,
and the floating ice coming against me, and the cramps began to
take on the legs, that I was obliged to turn and just got out to
shore in time.
I stood for some time thinking that I will never be able to cross,
and that I would sure to starve there. It got dusk and I started a
fire. I was very, very cold, and had something to eat. I was
troubled very much and could not forget the river, and the ice
floating and rubbing against the shore, made things worse, to hear
that sound all night, and thinking if I only had a canoe, I could
get to Northwest River to-morrow. It was yet 40 miles to the post
Northwest River.
Tuesday, 27th, as soon as daylight I tried to wade across again the
same place; but things happened the same. Along the lake lots of
drift wood. I thought I better make a raft if I could. It was
blowing very heavy from the west. I got my raft made. My tump
line I made two pieces to tie the four corners of the raft, and my
leather belt I made another piece, and a piece of small salmon
twine I had at the other corner. I got a long pole so as to be
sure and touch bottom with it all the way across, as I was afraid
that the swift current would take me out into the lake and the
heavy sea would swamp me.
My raft was too small, and when I got on it I sunk down quite a
bit. I shoved out and came to the strong current, and the tide and
the ice overcame me, and took me out to the lake. When the current
took me out into the lake, then the wind caught me and carried me.
It got so deep I could not find bottom with my pole. I had a mind
to jump from the raft; but I knew if I did I would surely get
drowned. So I thought I might just as well try to stay on. My
raft was breaking up. Piece by piece would float away. So I got
down on my knees and tried to keep the pieces together, and the sea
would just cover me. For about two hours I stayed on the raft, and
sure it was my finish. Finally, after a while, the wind drove me
just near a point. It was a long point, and I knew I could touch
bottom with my pole. I took my pole and just hardly got ashore.
(Grand Lake runs nearly east and west, is over 40 miles long, and
from 1 to 4 miles wide, and very deep, up to sixty fathom of water,
and for the least wind makes a very heavy sea.)
At this point where I got ashore, I was more than glad, but the
other branch yet to cross. I came to the branch and followed it up
quite a bit. This branch is much larger than the first. It was
very hard to get wood to make a raft. No drift. I managed to
shove some half rotten stumps down. It took me some time to get
enough for my raft, and not a stitch dry about me, just wringing
wet, and would not make a fire till I got across the other branch.
I built my raft on newly frozen ice, just near the open stream, and
then broke the ice around and with a long pole worked my way
across. This raft was much larger than the first, and out of the
water where I stood. Oh! but I was so proud of that raft, and
talking to myself all the time, and telling myself what a fine raft
it was, and I was so proud of my raft. I got across safe and
without much trouble after all.
It was nearly sunset. I thought I'd better make my fire and found
I was nearly safe. I would dry up and make a good early start in
the morning, and would nearly get to the post the next day. I
picked out a place for the night, and shot three partridges right
there. It was near a point where I was and round the point run a
deep bay. I thought may be another river run out from there. And
just to see if I could see any river I run to the point. When I
got to the point, I seeing a small boat within 100 yards from me;
and, of course, to make sure, I run to see it, thinking it would
come handy to me and I could sail to the post.
Before I came near it, a child screamed out nearly opposite of me
in the bush. I cannot tell how I felt. I just run the direction I
heard the sound. The next, the roof of a house I saw. Then I came
on a trail. I saw a girl with a child outside of the door. As
soon as she saw me she run in and a woman came out. I sung out to
her before I came to her. Meeting me she looked so scared. Then I
shook hands with her, and told her where I came from. She took me
in the house and told me to sit down. But I was - well I could not
say how I was and how glad I was.
After I had some tea and bread, I went for my little bundle and the
partridges I shot.
