RK-788

Ft William Lake Superior May 16th /59 [circled] 75

Dear Folk at Home

Owing to the ice in the lakes between here and Lake of the woods we have not yet started. It is expected however that we will leave the day after tomorrow and then cat remain in camp at the various lakes till we can get through. It is hoped however that all will be clear enough to let us pass at once, in which event we will easily get to Norway House at north end of Lake winnepeg in 20 days - possibly in 15. It is hardly probable that the Mackenzie River Brigade will have passed Norway House before our canoes get there - The same causes that prevent our starting as soon as usual must retard them also; and at any rate their time for arriving at Norway House where they take in provisions is about June 10th.

I hear the most exciting accounts of the bird nesting on the west side of

Lake winnepeg and it is very possible that Ill stay there till the Athabasca Brigade leaves Norway House for the north which will be about the first of July. In these boats I could go to Lake Athabasca and thence in a light canoe which leaves Athabasca the last of August, down to Ft Simpson.

To Ft Simpson Im going if the thing can be done!

The Steamer Rescue left us on a little island over 5 miles out in the lake, where we camped the first night and on the morning of the 11th of May! walked over the ice drawing the passengers baggage and Mrs Barns ton and the younger children on dog sleds.

There is still plenty of ice in the Bay, the snow lies several feet deep in some places in the woods, and Dog Lake 25 miles north west of here was frozen tight two days since. On the 6th of May it was yet winter, the ice in the bay and river entirely solid. This season is unusually back ward

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ward however.

Day before yesterday I went with some gentlemen of the Red Riv Exploring Exped to the top of McKay's Mountain a rocky peak a thousand feet high 2 or 3 miles west of Ft William. We found it, except on the southern slopes, covered with deep snow through which we floundered for several miles - one of our party getting along finely tho on snow shoes - Once at the top we were well repaid by the magnificent view. Isle Royal 40 or 50 miles distant was quite distinct while Thundar Bay with numerous high peaks on its shores and rocky islands in it, covered with evergreens was very grand; - The ice in the bay and snow on the hills heightening the effect rather than otherwise. Thunder Mountain at the entrance of the Bay of the same name is nearly 1500 feet high.

On the top of McKays Mountain we got a ruffed grouse (and four lined striped squirrel and a few

few beetles - I saw also a good many musquetoes! If they are found when the ground is covered with snow what will they be in warm weather!!

On descending from the mountain after I performed a gastronomic feat that would have killed me a month since - eating about a pound and a half of pork and dry bread - Arriving at home a couple of hours afterward, we all ate a hearty supper. Then I found they were right in advising me to provide as my daily allowance on the voyage 2 lbs of pork and 2 lbs flour - Our provisions consist of flour biscuit, pork, split peas, tea and sugar. A The usual allowance of tea is 1/4 lb per day!

and

Three large canoes 30 feet long each (called "North canoes by the voyageurs) and 31 men are going from here to Norway House and in one of these, by the kindness of Mr Barnston Chief Fractor[?] of Lake Superior District and of Mr Macintyre Chief Trader at this post, Mr Hubbard and I are to home passage. Our baggage we have to make up into packages each weighing about 80 or 90 lbs, this being the size adopted as most convenient for carrying at the portages - one

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man usually carrying two packages or "pieces" as they are called.

We have e For camping I have an [word crossed out] india rubber blanket a pair of 4 point woolen blankets and we have a large oil skin for covering our provisions Tents we ignore as being decidedly too civilized, heavy and clumsy. Our cooking utensils are two ket tin kettles and a frying pan!

Greatly to my regret I am obliged to send back to dog as he cannot be carried in the canoes without too much trouble I had hoped to shoot Ptarmigans and arctic foxes over him.

19th 18th We start tomorrow morning -

Cant Dalce please send a copy of this letter to Dr Hoy and another Charlie.

I send the new Canadian coin and as tis unsafe to prepay money letters I consequently dont prepay this