Page:Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America.djvu/80

 came more close and woody. After a walk of fifteen miles, we reached Shell River, a little stream; where we found, near an old Cree camp, several skins of the throat of the moose-deer suspended on poles, which are esteemed by the natives as charms of great efficacy in their conjuring. Sixteen or seventeen miles beyond this rivulet, we passed by Salt Lake, which is narrow, but of considerable length: its waters are unfit for use. A hill on its east side is clothed with fine birch, and thither the Carlton people resort to procure materials for constructing their sledges. Proceeding seven miles farther, we came upon a streamlet containing fine water, ironically named by the voyageurs "La Grande Riviere," on the banks of which, amongst pines, we halted for the night.

We started on the 6th at the same hour. The weather continued mild for the season, and cloudy, as if it would snow. After proceeding a distance of eight miles, chiefly occupied by four pieces of water, the largest of which is denominated Fishing Lake, we entered the boundary of the pine forest, in lat. 53° 30' N. Two leagues of a very rough, uneven path brought us to another rivulet, open in several places, and very serpentine in its course, often expanding into small lakes, and originating in one, at the