ing several falls (which I had intended to sketch) frozen almost even with the upper and lower parts of the stream. The ice was connected by a thin arch, and the rushing of the water underneath might be heard at a considerable distance from the place. On the bank of these rapids there was a constant overflowing of the water, but in such small quantities as to freeze before it had reached the surface of the central ice; so that we passed between two ridges of icicles, the transparency of which was beautifully contrasted by the flakes of snow and the dark green branches of the overhanging pine. Beauparlant complained bitterly of the cold whilst among the rapids; but no sooner had he reached the upper part of the river, than he found the change of the temperature so great that he vented his indignation against the heat – “Mais c’est terrible,” said he, to be frozen and sun burnt in the same day. The poor fellow, who had been a long time in the country, regarded it as the most severe punishment that could have been inflicted on him, and would willingly have given a part of his wages rather than this disgrace had happened; for there is a pride amongst “old voyageurs” which makes them consider the state of being frost bitten as effeminate, and only excusable in a “pork eater,” or one newly come into the country. I was greatly fatigued, and suffered acute pains in the knees and legs, both of which were much swollen when we halted a little above the Dog River.
“December 30 and 31. – Our journey these days was by far the most annoyng we had yet experienced; but independently of the vast masses of ice that were piled on one another, as well as the numerous open places about the rapids (and they did not a little impede us), there was a strong gale from the north-west, and so dreadfully keen, that our time was occupied in rubbing the frozen parts of the face, and in attempting to warm the hands, in order to be prepared for the next operation. Scarcely was one place cured by constant friction, than another was frozen: and though there was nothing pleasant about it, yet it was laughable enough to observe the dexterity which was used in changing the position of the hand from the face to the mitten, and vice versa. One of the men was severely affected, the whole side of his face being almost raw. Towards sunset I suffered so much in my knee and ancle, from a recent sprain, that it was with difficulty I could proceed, with snow shoes, to the encampment on the Stoney Islands. But in this point I was not singular; for Beauparlant was almost as bad, and without the same cause.
“1821. January 1. – We set out with a quick step, the wind still blowing fresh from the north-west, which seemed in some measure to invigorate the dogs; for towards sunset they left me a considerable distance behind. Indeed my legs and ancles were now so swelled, that it was excessive pain to drag the snow shoes after me. At night we halted on the banks of Stoney River, when I gave the men a glass of grog, to commemorate the new year; and the next day, January 2d, we arrived at