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Show ,,, JOUR~AL OF A VOYAGE ease. Killed one bear. The country on b. oth sides, pr. e. sented a dreary and barren prospect of ht~h rocks, With dead pine timber. Snow. Distance 1 0 m1les. 28tb December, Saturday.-Two sleds fell through the icc. In the morning passed a very poor country ; bare knobs on each side ; but towards evening the bottoms became larger, and the pine ridges better timbered. ~racllcy and myself marched 1 o. miles beyond the sleds. Ktlled one deer. Distance 12 nules. . 29tb December, Sunday-Cold windy day. Met w1th no material interruptions ; passed some rapids. The snow blew from the woods on to the river. The country full of small lakes, some 3 miles in circumference. l)istancc 21 miles. 30tb December, Monday.-The snow having drifted on the icc, retarded the sleds. N un1erous stnall lakes and pine ridges continued. A new species o.f pine, callc~ the French Sap pine. Killed one otter. Du;tancc 12 nul s. 31st December, Tucsday.-Passcd Pine river about 1 l o'clock. At its mouth there was a Chipeway's encamp· mcnt of fifteen lodges, this had been occupied in t~c summer, but is now vacant. By the significations of their n1arks, we understood, that they had 1narchcd a party of 50 warriors against the Sioux ; and had killed four men and four women, which were represented by images carved out of pine or cedar. 'I'he four n1en painted and put in the ground to the middle, leaving ahovc ground those parts which are generally concealed; by their sides were four painted poles, sharpened at the end to represent the women. Ncar this were poles with deer skins, plumes, :5ilk handkerchiefs, &c. Also a circular hoop of cedar with son1cthing attached, representing a scalp. Ncar each lodge they had holes dug in the ground, awl boughs ready to cover them, as a retreat for their women and child rcn if attacked by the Sioux, &c. TO TilE SOURCES OF TIIE MIS 'TSSTPPT. 57 lst Jannary 1806, Wednesday.-Passed six very elegant bark canoes, on the bank of the river, which had b 'en laid up by the Chipcways ; also a camp which we conceived to have been evacuated about ten days. My interpreter can1c after me in a great hurry, conjuring nrc not to go so far ahead, and assured Inc that the Chipeways, encountering 1nc without an interpret r, party, or fl ag, would certainly kill me. · But, notwithstanding this, I went on several miles far~h cr than usual, in ordrr to make any discoveries that were to be made ; conceiving the savages not so barbarous or ferocious, as to fire on two men, (I had one with Inc) who were apparently coming into their country, trusting to th ·ir generosity; and know . ing, that if we met only two or three we were equal to them, I, having my gun and pistols, and he his buck shot. Made some extra presents for new years day. 2d January, Thursday-Fine warm day. l)iscov r cd fresh sign of Indians. Just as we were encamping at night, my sentinel informed us, that some Indians Wl'rC coming full speed upon our trail or track. I ordered my men to stand by their guns carifully. They were immediately at my camp, and saluted the flag by a discharge of three pieces; when four Chipeways, one Englishman, and a Frenchman of the N. W. company presented themselves. rfhey informed us that some wotnen having discovered our trail gave the alarm, and not knowing, but it was their enemies, they had departed to make a discovery. They had heard of us and revered our flag. Mr. Grant, the Englishman, had only arrived the day before fi·om Lake De Sable; from which he marched, in o11c day and a half. I presented the Indians with half a deer, which they received thankfully, for they had discovered our fires some days ago, and believing it to be the Sioux, they dared not leave their camp. They returned, bnt M)·. Grant remained all nigh~. u |
