80 THE LIFE or

native woods ; that a steamboat would make its appear- ance, like a monster from the deep, snorting fire and smoke, near their shores. God of mercy, save, save my poor people. _

We started for the Ottawa Lake about the eighth of October, 1835. VVe had to carry our canoes, with the rest of our articles, over eight portages, or carrying places, one of which was nine, and another five miles long. No language can convey an idea of the hard- ships and toil to which we were exposed, before we reached there; for we had to carry all our things over the carrying places; and as it was too late in the fall, and on account of the disagreeableness of the weather, we were obliged to return to La Pointe. The winter set in, and we travelled one hundred and seventy miles by land. It was on one of these carrying places that I carried the heavy load mentioned on page 19.

When we arrived at Ottawa Lake, the Indians were glad to see us. The Chief, Moose Ogeed, .Mo0se tail, was particularly kind. Here we laboured with success, though at the time many of them were absent hunting. I commenced a day-school with few scholars. During the winter our provision gave out; for seven weeks we

_ had nothing, except what we caught by spearing and

shooting; but in the latter part of the winter we could

neither shoot rabbits, nor spear fish. What now was to be done,except to go to La Pointe, one hundred and

seventy miles, and obtain some flour. We ran nearly all day through the woods, and the next day my feet were blistered, occasioned by the strap of my snow shoes. The young man who accompanied me, suffered