BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

JOURNAL 173
impassable. The channel was deep, cut through rocks of immense
height and forming eddies and gulfs which canoes could
not even approach with safety.
Fine, but hot weather; we passed several long and steep hills 12th, Monthis
morning. In some parts, the road was through a level day.
country, but generally full of pOll1ted stones which greatly hurt
our feet; a few green spots could be observed here and there,
but few or no trees. About 10 A.M., being tired and thirsty, we
stopped near a rock which, from the brushwood at the foot of
It, indicated the vicinity of water. Entering this thicket we Saline
observed a substa:!1ce something like borax, which had a saline source.
or sulphurous taste; a hole being dug it was slowly filled up
with a nauseous liquid of which, however, we drank.
All at once, and when we least expected a surprise, SeVe]l
Askettihs presented themselves before us with their bows and
arrows in readiness for an attack, believing us to be enemies,
but upon coming nearer, and discovering from appearances
their mistake, they laid by their weapons, joined our party and
shook hands. We could not, however, understand one another,
our interpreter being ahead, bnt they accompanied us until we
had overtaken him. He spoke to them and they went away,
promising to return with provisions in the evening to our
encampment. We went on and encamped about sunset; some
of the men, being much fatigned, were displeased at our going
so late. Soon after, our new friends, accompanied by our old
'chief who had gone ahead to the lodges of these people, joined
us and brought different kinds of roots, wild onions formed
,into syrup, excellent dried salmon, and some berries, also a few
beaver skins which were of a reddish colour.
These India'ns say that the sea is about ten nights from their One who
saw the
'village. One of the old men, a very talkative fellow and, as we great
, . d " t canoes.
understood, a great warrwr, had been to the ?ea an saw grea
canoes" and white men. He observed that. the chiefs of the