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Show JOUHNAL OF A VOYAGE passed before with the rackets, I was fearful of loosing ourselves on the lake ; the consequence of which can only be conceived by those who have been expos "d on a lake, or naked plain, a dreary night of January, in latitude 47° and the thcrmmnetcr below 0. Thinking that we could observe, the bank of the other shore, we kept a straight course, and son1etime after discovered lights, and on our arrival were not a little surprised to find a large stockade. The gate being open, we entered and proceeded to the quarters of Mr. Grant, where we were treated with tha utmost hospitality. 9th January, Thursday.--Marched the corporal early, in order that our n1cn should receive assurances of our safety and success. lie carried with l1im a small keg of spirits, a present frmn Mr. Grant. The cstablish1ncnt of ~his place was forn1ed twelve years since, by the N. W. cmnpany, and was formerly under the charge of a Mr. Charles Brusky. It has attained at present such regularity, as to permit the superintendant to live tolerably cornfortablc. They have horses they procured fron1 Red river, of the Indians ; raise plenty of Irish potato'"'s, catch pike, suckers, pickerel, and white fish in abundance. They have also beaver, deer, and moose; but the provision they chiefly depend upon, is wild oats, of which they purchase great quantitie~ from the savages, giving at the rate of about on~ dollar and a half per bushel. But flour, pork, and salt, an: almost interdicted to persons not principals in the trade. Flour sells at half a dollar; salt a dollar; pork 80 cents ; sugar half a dollar; cofree , and tea 4 dolls. 50 per pound. The sugar is obtained from the Indians, and is made frmn the maple tree. lOt/J January, Friday.-Mr. Grant accompanied me to the Mis~i sipp1, to 1nark the place for my boats, to kJ.vt: th ~ nver. This was the first time I marched on raLkets. I took the course of .t.he Lake River, from its TO TilE SOUHCES Of THE MISSISSIPPI. b'l mouth to the lake. Mr. Grant fell through the icc with his rackets on, and could not ha vc got out, without assistance. lltb January, Saturday.-Remaincd all day within quarter5. l2tb Janury, Sunday.-Went out and met n1y men about 16 miles. A tree had fallen on one of them and hurt him very 1nuch, which induced 1ne to dismiss a sled and put the loading on the others. l 3tb January, M onday.-Aftcr encountering much difficulty, we arrived at the establishment of the N. vV. company, on Lake De Sable, a little before night. The ~cc being very bad on the Lake River, owing to the many springs and marshes, one sled fell through. My men had an excellent room furnished then1, and were presented with potatoes and fillc. * Mr. Grant had gone to an Indian lodge to receive his credits. l4tb January, Tucsday.-Crossed the lake to the north side, that I might take an observation ; found the lat. 46° 91 2011 N. Surveyed that part of the lal c. Mr. Grant returned from the Indian lodges. They brought a quantity of furs and eleven beaver carcases. l5tb January, J!Vcdncsday.-Mr. Grant and n1yself made the tour of the lake, with two men, whom I had, for attendants. Founcl it to be n1uch larger, than could be imagined at a view. My men sawed ~tocks for the ~;!eels, which I found it necessary to construct after the manner of .the country. On our march, n1et an Indian coming into the fort ; his count nance expressed no little astonishment, whc11 told who I was ancl from whence I came; for the people in this country tht:'Insdves acknow .. ledge, that the savages hold in greater veneration, the Americans, than any other white people. They say of • A cant term for a dram of S}>irits~ |
