We had now been travelling twelve days, and had passed over upwards of thirty portages during the voyage.
We ought to have performed this voyage in a much shorter time, as canoes proceed faster than boats, which seldom take longer to complete this voyage than we did; but this arose from our detention during high winds in several of the lakes.
Chapter Ten.
Voyage to Canada by the great lakes of the Interior—A black bear—Harassing detentions—Another bear—Meet Dr Rae, the Arctic discoverer—The guide’s story—Meet Indians—Running the rapid—Lake Superior—A squall—The Ottawa—Civilised life again—Sleighing in Canada.
At Norway House I remained for nearly a month with my old friend Mr Russ, who in a former part of this veracious book is described as being a very ardent and scientific fisher, extremely partial to strong rods and lines, and entertaining a powerful antipathy to slender rods and flies!
Little change had taken place in the appearance of the fort. The clerks’ house was still as full, and as noisy, as when Polly told frightful stories to the greenhorns on the point of setting out for the wild countries of Mackenzie River and New Caledonia. The Indians of the village at Rossville plodded on in their usual peaceful way, under the guidance of their former pastor; and the ladies of the establishment were as blooming as ever.
One fine morning, just as Mr Russ and I were sauntering down to the river with our rods, a north canoe, full of men, swept round the point above the fort, and grounded near the wharf. Our rods were soon cast aside, and we were speedily congratulating Mr and Mrs Bain on their safe arrival. These were to be my companions on the impending voyage to Canada, and the canoe in which they had arrived was to be our conveyance.
Mr Bain was a good-natured, light-hearted Highlander, and his lady a pretty lass of twenty-three.