The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-03-15

All things thus prepared we swung our
loads on our backs, and adjusting the strap,
according to our fancics followed our lndi-
dian guide. The trail soon plunges into a
low ba!sam and cedar. swamp over which
we were obliged to pick our way, occasion
ally "ge,ting our foot in," Us tho saying
was to which tho wag OF our party would
give vent TO we'll timed expression, Of
stake il right out Of thni," and we we're
generally glad to be able to follow his ad-
vice. Our general course was South. West.
and we soon'had to cross sizeablc stream,
passing off,o our left 10 empty into the bay
We had left behind. Eeyond this by an up
and down progress, in which The up SEEM
cd to have the bes, Of the bargain, We pass
q country. diversified with woodland, gen
orally Of the fir tribe, in which the white
pine, md hcmlock, are conspicuous-far-
Their upland we come upon groves Of sugar
maple, with the bark relics Of sugar camps,
or ut times on n dry ridge the trail opens
no body Of rcd pines with their taper
trunks formin. an agreeable vis,r.
The variety, md novelty, Of the scene.
as may lie supposed gave zcst to what
would otherwise he considered q io'some
journey, and rs tho day began 10 decline
and our pauses became more frequent, and
prosrac;cd, we nj length came to good
camping place, on the borders Of n spark
ling brock, crossing orr trail 10 the lett; our
evening fire soon went up, redolcnt with
the fumes Of boiling kettles, and stcwing
gridd.es. We sprcnd orr beds, with hem
lock branches, and making some little ex-
ira provision tns = threatening rain-s,or,n,
found our mother carth, more congcrial 10
our tired hacks, than our lighter loads.
Oar nights rest. was disturbed by two
causes. for the first patiering ram, FORE
warned Us Of heavier load Of wet blankets,
on the mo,row;-fnr the second our French
man, in his zeal TO keep himself warm cent
running fire into the bed Of cur Indian
companions, 10 whom the fumes Of burning
blanket, did not seem sufficiently narcotic.
10 keep them asleep 10 say nothing Of the
counter irri,a,ion.- then was hustle.
and confused jabbcring of Indian, French,
mud English, by way Of explanation, and
apology.
The morning gave us m additional job,
Of drying blankets, and with this delay, VIC
rnado n late start. A portage strap, il not
the most favorable for extended observation,
with heads bowed down, we have to Judge
Of the timber growth, by the fallen leaves
s,rewing our pn.h. Our road to-day was,
broken, up and down, occasionally passing
groves Of the canoe birch, which seems to
prefer knoily country. with tenacious
soil; our course was a gradual ascent to-
wards the summit level, and several small
hikes arc passed on our route, which in the
after part Of the day become larger, and
more frequent, sometimes on each side Of
the trnil, pass several small brooks all 70
ing 10 the left, and late in the afternoon,
quite stream. outlet 10 chain Of lakes, q
tributary to Dad river Of Lake Superior.
We had today a specimen Of Indian let
ter writing. Oar guide wishing to inform
some Of his acqnaintanccs behind, Of our
progress, mnde use Of the following device
About midday, on an exposed knoll an arc
Of circle. bending towards tho south, is
drawn in the ground, near the centre OF
this nrc n stick is stuck in an inclined posi-
ton, throwing shadow nearly as ono Of
the radi Of the circle; the shadow thus cast
is strongly marked, and left, conveying vc-
~ accurate information, TO those behind OF
the time Of day, when nc passed this spot.
The Indians, who arc accustomed 10 pack
loads over the long portages, necessary to
this region Of country often bear up under
incredible loads,- was as much as cared
about doing before breakfast, 10 lift the
mules load, Of our guide, and yet in add
ton TO this. one Of tho bnbies was mounted
on the top, seeming to enjoy the scene from
its elevated position, or sleeping with her
chubby nrms, clasped about his swarlhy
neck. Blu. have left our fair y compan-
ion out Of sight, who has been patiently FOL-
lowing behind with the other baby, lsehed
10 board at tho back, and comes trudginr
on rather ashamed | imagine Of her latter
ed drcss. hut without cause in such coun.