The carrying of the canoes and goods
to the upper end of this portage occupied the men till about noon,
when we embarked on the "Sea of Canada," having Messrs. Bethune and
McKenzie on board as passengers. We proceeded about fifteen miles and
encamped. We were ready to embark at the usual hour next morning, but
being prevented by the high wind, to make the best of the time we
turned in again, and after a most refreshing nap got up to breakfast.

The weather moderating soon after, all hands were ordered to embark,
but all hands were not there; four of them had deserted during the
night, and were not missed until the crews mustered for embarkation.

While we were holding a consultation regarding this unpleasant matter,
an Indian canoe luckily cast up, and it was determined to despatch a
party of Iroquois, conducted by a passenger in disguise, in pursuit of
the fugitives. Another party was sent by land, and after an absence
of about three hours returned with their prisoners. No criminals ever
appeared more dejected than they; so humble did they seem, that they
got off with a slight reprimand.

We reached the post of Michipikoton early on the morning of the 19th,
and passed the remainder of the day waiting for despatches which Mr.
K---- was preparing for the interior. We left on the 20th, put ashore
at the Pic on the 23d, where we dined with Mr. McMurray, and after
experiencing much bad weather, adverse winds, together with showers of
snow, we reached Fort William on the 28th, about noon.

We found the grand depot of the North-West Company falling rapidly
to decay, presenting in its present ruinous state but a shadow of
departed greatness. It is now occupied as a petty post, a few Indians
and two or three old voyageurs being the sole representatives of
the crowded throngs of former times. It must have been a beautiful
establishment in its days of prosperity; but the buildings certainly
do not appear to have been erected with a view to durability. We
here exchanged our large Montreal canoes for those of the North,
(the former carrying seventy packages of ninety pounds, the latter
twenty-five, exclusive of provisions;) and each of the passengers had
a canoe for his own accommodation--an arrangement that seemed to
increase in no small degree the self-importance of some of our number.
Our guide was now obliged to perform the duty of bowsman, still,
however, retaining his authority over the whole brigade.

We bade adieu to F