e lands were at a
considerable distance. I was accompanied by one man in a small canoe;
and as it was necessary that one of us should carry the canoe over the
portages, and the other the property, I chose the former, being the
lightest though by far the most inconvenient load. I found it very
oppressive at first, but use rendered it more easy. This was the first
time I carried a canoe.

On our return from the Indian's camp we met with rather a disagreeable
accident, while ascending a small and very rapid river. In pushing
forward the canoe against the stream, my pole happened to glance off a
stone, and the canoe swinging round came in contact with the trunk of
a tree projecting from the bank, and we, or at least I, was upset in
an instant. Fortunately the current, though strong, was smooth and
free from whirlpools; so that, after swimming down a short distance
in search of a landing-place, I rejoined my companion, whom I found
standing on the bank perfectly dry. On inquiring of him how he
happened to avoid a ducking, he told me he sprang ashore while I was
attempting to parry off the tree; doubtless his having done so was in
a great measure the cause of the accident. He, however, acted a very
prudent part after landing, having caught hold of the canoe in the act
of upsetting, and thus preserved the goods from being lost or damaged.

In the course of this year, the Iroquois and Algonquins were nearly
coming to blows on account of the hunting-grounds. This quarrel
originated from a speech which Colonel McKay, then at the head of the
Indian department, had addressed to the Iroquois, in which, making use
of the metaphorical language of the people, he observed that Indians
of all tribes ought to live together in the utmost concord and amity,
seeing they inhabited the same villages, "and ate out of the same
dish." This the Iroquois interpreted in a way more suitable to their
own wishes than consistent with its real meaning. "Our father," said
they, "tells us we eat out of the same dish with the Algonquins;--he
means that we have an equal right to the hunting-grounds." They
proceeded, accordingly, to avail themselves of the supposed privilege.
The consequence was a very violent quarrel, in which Government was
ultimately obliged to interfere.

The Indians informed us, this spring, of a dreadful murder that had
been committed in the early part of the winter by some of the natives
of Hudson's Bay. The particulars of this tale