New Work and Old. 85

night yesterday, and resume my task this morning because I
am in the humour, and on Friday must start again on further
voyaging, when letter writing will be impossible.

“On the 10th inst. I started to the Naas River
station, via Fort Simpson, and back. Rowing and
sailing, we only accomplished on the first day thirty-
seven miles, between two in the afternoon and ten at
night. Then we had some trouble in finding water shallow
enough to anchor in, because it was a dark night, and the
narrow sea was hemmed in by lofty mountains that added
to the gloom. As soon as we found anchorage we dropped
the anchor and moored also to the shore. It was perfectly
still. At two a.m. we were aroused by our uncomfortable
position. We had not reckoned rightly the condition of the
tide at this distance from the ocean. As further sleep was
out of the question, I hghted our httle petroleum stove, got
ready the oatmeal, and water for the coffee. The pots we
had to lash to the stove to keep them from slipping off, on
account of the list of the boat. Then my cook took it in
hand, but as our kitchen box was under his bed boards, it
was difficult to get at a spoon. But burnt porridge is un-
palatable. Stirred it must be, for we cannot take off the
pot without unlashing both. It was too hot for a finger and
too deep for a rowlock. My umbrella stowed away for
use on shore was within reach, and after looking in vain for
anything else, I handed it to the cook, who first washed the
ferrule, then stirred the porridge.

“At 2.30 a.m. we were afloat, and the sea like glass.
Fortified with our repast and prayer, we bent to our oars,
and after about nine miles’ rowing got a breeze, which, as the
day advanced, grew stronger, until we had to shorten sail,
and then run before the half gale, with the crests of the
waves flush with the gunwale. On we bounded exultant,
my hand for nine hours on the tiller and eye on the stem, the
wind steadily rising, until twelve hours distant from our

weighing anchor we ran into the river at the back of Kinco-

lith, and received such a welcome that we soon forgot we
had been hungry.

RTS

a —

tary

7

Sa

a Rot hal
tie ae st Ee Rag ie

a