150 JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE THROUGH THE

./93 he remembered the oppofite hills and plains, now interfperfed with
groves of poplars, when they were covered with mofs, and without any
animal inhabitant but the rein-deer. By degrees, he faid, the face of
the country changed to its prefent appearance, when the elk came from
the Eaft, and was followed by the buffalo; the rein-deer then retired to
the long range of high lands that, at a confiderable diftance, run parallel
with this river.

&

On the goth of April I had an NG a Jupiter and his fatellites,
for the longitude, and we were now vifited by our fummer companions
the gnats and mofquitoes. On the other fide of the river, which was yet
covered with ice, the plains were delightful; the trees were budding, and
many plants in bloffom. Mr. Mackay brought me a bunch of flowers
of a pink colour, and a yellow button, encircled with fix leaves of a light :

purple. The change in the appearance of nature was as fudden as it was
pleafing, for a few days only were paffed away fince the ground was
covered with {fnow. On the 25th the river was cleared of the ice.

I now found that the death of the man called the White Partridge, had
deranged all the plans which I had fettled with the Indians for the fpring
hunting. They had affembled at fome diftance from the fort, and fent
an embafly to me, to demand rum to drink, that they might have an
opportunity of crying for their deceafed brother. It would be con-
fidered as an extreme degradation in an Indian to weep when fober, but

a flate of intoxication fanétions all irregularities. On my refufal, they

threatened to go to war, which, from motives of intereft as well as:
humanity, we did our utmoft to difcourage; and as a fecond meffage

was