the intensity of the magnetic force. The
position of York Factory, by our observations, is in latitude 57 deg. 00'
03" N., longitude 92 deg. 26' W. The variation of the compass 6 deg. 00' 21" E.

CHAPTER II.

Passage up Hayes', Steel, and Hill Rivers--Cross Swampy Lake--Jack
River--Knee Lake and Magnetic Islet--Trout River--Holy
Lake--Weepinapannis River--Windy Lake--White-Fall Lake and
River--Echemamis and Sea Rivers--Play-Green Lakes--Lake
Winipeg--River Saskatchawan--Cross, Cedar, and Pine-Island
Lakes--Cumberland House.

1819. September.

On the 9th of September, our boat being completed, arrangements were
made for our departure as soon as the tide should serve. But, when the
stores were brought down to the beach, it was found that the boat would
not contain them all. The whole, therefore, of the bacon, and part of
the flour, rice, tobacco, and ammunition, were returned into the store.
The bacon was too bulky an article to be forwarded under any
circumstances; but the Governor undertook to forward the rest next
season. In making the selection of articles to carry with us, I was
guided by the judgment of Governor Williams, who assured me that
tobacco, ammunition, and spirits, could be procured in the interior,
otherwise I should have been very unwilling to have left these
essential articles behind. We embarked at noon, and were honoured with a
salute of eight guns and three cheers from the Governor and all the
inmates of the fort, who had assembled to witness our departure. We
gratefully returned their cheers, and then made sail, much delighted at
having now commenced our voyage into the interior of America. The wind
and tide failing us at the distance of six miles above the Factory, and
the current being too rapid for using oars to advantage, the crew had to
commence tracking, or dragging the boat by a line, to which they were
harnessed. This operation is extremely laborious in these rivers. Our
men were obliged to walk along the steep declivity of a high bank,
rendered at this season soft and slippery by frequent rains, and their
progress was often further impeded by fallen trees, which, having
slipped from the verge of the thick wood above, hung on the face of the
bank in a great variety of directions. Notwithstanding these obstacles,
we advanced at the rate of two miles an hour, one-half of the crew
relieving the other at intervals of an hour and a half. The banks of the