OF THE. FUR TRADE, &c. Xi

were in a continual ftate of alarm, and were even frequently ftopped to
pay tribute on their route into the country; though they had adopted
the plan of travelling together in parties of thirty or forty canoes, and
keeping their men armed; which fometimes, indeed, proved neceflary
for their defence.

Thus was the trade carried on for feveral years, and confequently be-
coming worile and worfe, fo that the partners, who met them at the
Grande Portage, naturally complained of their ill fuccefs. But f{pecious
reafons were always ready to prove that it arofe from circumftances
which they could not at that time control; and encouragements were
held forth to hope that a change would foon take place, which would

make ample amends for paft difappointments.

It was about this time, that Mr. Jofeph Frobifher, one of the gentlemen
engaged in the trade, determined to penetrate into the country yet
unexplored, to the North and Weftward, and, in the {pring of the year
1775, met the Indians from that quarter on their way to Fort Churchill,
at Portage de Traite, fo named from that circumf{tance on the banks of
the Miffinipi, or Churchill River, latitude 55. 25. North, longitude 1034.
Weft. It was, indeed, with fome difficulty that he could induce them
to trade with him, but he at length procured as many furs as his
canoes could carry. In this perilous expedition he fuftained every
kind of hardfhip meident to a journey through a wild and favage
country, where his fubfiftence depended on what the woods and the
waters produced. Thefe difficulties, neverthelefs, did not difcourage
him from returning in the following year, when he was equally fuccefsful.

be He