NORTH-WEST CONTINENT OF AMERICA.

On the 1ft of June we embarked: at fun-rife, and towards noon the
current began to flacken; we then put to fhore, in order to gum the
canoe, when a meridian altitude gave me 55. 42.16. North latitude. We
then continued our courfe, and towards the evening the current began to
recover its former flrength, Mr. Mackay and the Indians had already
difembarked, to walk and lighten the boat... At fun-fet we encamped on
a point, being the firft dry land which had been found on this fide the
river, that was fit for our purpofe, fince our people went on fhore. In
the morning we pafled a large rapid river, that flowed in from the right. -

t

In no part of the North-Weift did I fee fo much beaver-work, within.

an equal diftance, as in the courfe of this day. In fome places they
had cut down feveral acres of large poplars; and we faw alfo a
great number of thele active and fagacious animals. The time which
thefe wonderful creatures allot for their labours, whether in ereéting
their curious habitations, or providing food, is the whole of the in-

terval between the fetting and the rifing fun. -

Towards the dufky part of the evening we heard feveral difcharges
from the fowling pieces of our people, which we anfwered, to in-
form them of our fituation; and fome time after it was. dark, they.
arrived in an equal {late of fatigue and alarm: they were alfo obliged to
fwim acrofs a channel in order to get to us, as we were fituated on anifland,

though we were ignorant of the circumflance, till they came to inform

us. One of the Indians was pofitive that he heard the difcharge of fire- |

arms above our encampment; and on comparing the number of our
difcharges with theirs, there appeared to be fome foundation for his
" Bbe a alarm,