Volume 1

EXPRESS OFF— SIGNS OF SPRING. 1 73
The ice is rising in a body, in consequence of the
melting
snow. Being apprehensive the water would come into the
fort and overflow the property, I set all hands to erect a
large stage, on which we laid most of our property. On the
15th we saw six swans and several outardes going N., and
on the 17th had a terrible snowstorm ; buffaloes near the
fort. i8th. Had much trouble to cross the express ;
there
being a broad space of open water on each ride of the river,
and the ice in the middle scarcely able to support the man's
weight. All got over by means of a small canoe. Mr. Cameron
goes to Grand Portage with four men for a land load
of goods, to come as soon as navigation opens. The
express will pass by Red lake and Lac la Pluie. I sent
Crow to guide them ; all go on foot, without dogs. igth.
Mr. Chaboillez and his men set off with two of mine, loaded
with goods. The river continues to rise, and is now only a
few feet from the gate. Got out my canoes, repaired and
gummed them, and placed them in the fort ready to load,
to save ourselves in the plain, in case the water rises suddenly.
20th. I saw a sturgeon jump. 21st. My anxiety
about the water increasing, I set the men at work, carried
our property to a rising ground about a quarter of a mile
from the fort, and covered it with oil cloths. It was tedious,
as our pemmican had not yet been made up." Wild fowl
now abound ; also buffalo. My faithful dog Castor died
it was the tenth day he had
with a swelling in the neck ;
eaten nothing. I had pierced it several times and let out
much foul matter. This swelling in the neck and head is
common among our dogs, and many die of it. 22d. The ice
moved all in one body, but soon stopped. Indian women
are making sugar. Saw another sturgeon jump. 2^d. My
men returned from Reed river ; they had seen two calves of
this year. We now see many kinds of summer birds. 2'jth.
'* In taureaux, or the large skin sacks in which it was to be packed for transportation,
so that its removal in loose bulk was a tediofis process. For the
taureaux, see beyond, where Henry repeatedly uses the word; but it baffled his
copyist, as I find \Xfarireaux, ieauveaux, taveraiix, terraux, etc.