The north-east gale
continued but the thermometer rose to 39 degrees.
June 25.
The wind having abated in the night we prepared for starting at an early
hour. The three canoes were mounted on sledges and nine men were
appointed to conduct them, having the assistance of two dogs to each
canoe. The stores and provisions were distributed equally among the rest
of our men, except a few small articles which the Indians carried. The
provision consisted of only two bags of pemmican, two of pounded meat,
five of suet, and two small bundles of dried provision, together with
fresh meat sufficient for our supper at night. It was gratifying to
witness the readiness with which the men prepared for and commenced a
journey which threatened to be so very laborious, as each of them had to
drag upwards of one hundred and eighty pounds on his sledge.
Our course led down the main channel of the lake, which varied in breadth
from half a mile to three miles; but we proceeded at a slow pace as the
snow which fell last night and still lay on the ice very much impeded the
sledges. Many extensive arms branched off on the north side of this
channel and it was bounded on the south by a chain of lofty islands. The
hills on both sides rose to six or seven hundred feet and high steep
cliffs were numerous. Clusters of pines were occasionally seen in the
valleys. We put up at eight P.M. in a spot which afforded us but a few
twigs for fuel. The party was much fatigued and several of the men were
affected by an inflammation on the inside of the thigh attended with
hardness and swelling. The distance made today was six miles.
We started at ten next morning. The day was extremely hot and the men
were soon jaded; their lameness increased very much and some not
previously affected began to complain. The dogs too showed symptoms of
great weakness, and one of them stretched himself obstinately on the ice
and was obliged to be released from the harness. We were therefore
compelled to encamp at an early hour, having come only four miles. The
sufferings of the people in this early stage of our journey were truly
discouraging to them and very distressing to us, whose situation was
comparatively easy. I therefore determined on leaving the third canoe
which had been principally carried to provide against any accident to the
others. We should thus gain three men to lighten the loads of those who
were most lame, and an additional dog for each of the other canoes. It
was accordingly properly secured on a stage erected for the purpose near
the encampment.
