NORTH-WEST CONTINENT OF AMERICA.

fhore, where the land is low and fearcely vifible in the horizon. It
was near twelve when we arrived. I now got an‘ obfervation, when it
was 61. 33. North latitude. We were near five miles to the North of
the main channel of the river. The frefh tracks and beds of buffaloes
were very perceptible. Near this place a river flowed in from the Horn
» mountains which are at no great diftance. We landed at five in the
afternoon, and before the canoe was unloaded, the Englifh chief arrived
with the tongue of a cow, or female buffalo, when four men and the
Indians were difpatched for the flefh; but they did not return till it
was dark, with five geefe. They informed me, that they had feen feveral
human tracks in the fand on the oppofite ifland. The fine weather

continued without interruption.

The Indians were again fent forward in purfuit of game: and fome
time being employed in gumming the canoe, we did not embark till half
paft five, and at nine we landed to wait the return of the hunters. I
here found the variation of the compafs to be about twenty degrees
Eaft.

The people made themfelves paddles and repaired the canoe. It is
an extraordinary circumftance for which I do not pretend to account,
that there is fome peculiar quality in the water of this river, which cor-
rodes wood, from the defiruétive effet it had on the paddles. The
hunters arrived at a late hour without having feen any large animals.
Their booty confifted only of three fwans and as many geefe. The
women were employed in gathering cranberries and crowberries, which

were found in great abundance..

Wednef, 19,

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