24 degrees. Snow by squalls all
day. Wind W. Caught twelve good trout while boys were breaking
camp. Diarrhoea, which attacked me yesterday, came back when I
started to carry the canoe. Had to drop it and became very weak.
Boys went on with it about 1 1/4 miles and came back. We camped on
long lake. I huddled by fire and wrote when it was not snowing.
We can catch up to our schedule if I am able to travel to-morrow
for it is only an easy march, covered in less than a day before.
All talking about home, all happy to be going there.
Wednesday, September 30th. - Boys carried canoe nearly to Pike Lake,
while I made camp and went back and forth three times to bring up
packs. Then a happy camp nearer home. To-night we planned, in
case we have a long wait in St. John's to get rooms for light
housekeeping and not go to hotel. Then we can cook what we want
and need and live high - beef bones for caribou, cereals with real
cream, rich muscle-making stews of rice, beef, etc., tomatoes, etc.
Thursday, October 1st. - Temp. 40 degrees. Crossed to Pike Lake
this A.M. Lunch on west side, last of fish. Nothing now left but
pea meal. Crossed lake, no trail on east side, hoping to get trout
where I took a mess in outlet coming up. Not a nibble. Too cold
or something. Camped in lee of trees. Boys had feed of blue
berries while I fished. Ate half stick of erbswurst. Good camp-
fire, but I rather blue and no one talkative. So hungry for home -
and fish.
Friday, October 2nd. - Cold west wind. Temp. 30 degrees. Cold -
snowed a bit in the evening. Took packs early in day and hurried
across to tamarack pole fishing place. Only two trout before noon.
Ate them with pea meal and boys went back for the canoe. Only two
days, and easy ones, to our big lake. Then only two days to the
river with its good fishing. That makes us feel good. It means a
good piece nearer home.
Saturday, October 3rd. - Bright crisp morning. Temp. 21 degrees.
Snow squalls. Left tamarack pole place and portaged south over old
route, crossing lakes, etc., to our camp of 29th August, on little
pond. Wet feet and cold, but not a bad day. I lugged all the
packs and boys canoe. Beautiful moon and clear night. All sat
late by camp fire talking and thinking of home. Pleased to have
another fair march back of us - happy.
Sunday, October 4th. - Temp. 10 degrees. Bright clear cold A.M.
Everything frozen in morning. Pond frozen over. Two trout left.
One for breakfast, boiled with erbswurst. Portaged to lake about
three-quarter mile away. Crossed it. Some ice to annoy. George
borrowed Wallace's pistol saying he saw a partridge. He killed
four. Lord's with us. We need 'em bad. I'm weak and nervous.
Must have vacation. Wallace notices it. Have not taken bath for
two weeks, ashamed of my ribs which stick out like skeletons.
Monday, October 5th. - Temp. 30 degrees. Wind S.E. Snow on the
ground. Up late. Waited Wallace to mend moccasins. Late start.
Crossed bad swamp to big lake, wading icy water. Dried feet and
drank cup soup. Stopped island in P.M. to get berries. All talk
much of home now. At camp fire George told me of his plans to get
married and his love story.
Tuesday, October 6th. - Temp. 48 degrees. Rain and snow in A.M.
George shot partridge before breakfast. Rained most of night.
Started expecting to portage to lake first west of Height of Land.
Got into rough sea, exciting time. Found river of considerable
size emptying into that lake. Ran into it and prepared to finish
in the morning. George and I ran on rock shooting rapid.
Beautiful night - cold. Feel all cold.
Wednesday, October 7th. - Thermometer out of order. Heavy frost.
Ran down river into lake, west of barren mountain, climbed to scout
on day after entering lake W. of Height of Land. Stopped and fed
well on our moss berries and cranberries. Took some along.
Started Height of Land portage. Happy to be back. Very thin pea
soup breakfast. Some with berries for lunch. Weak.
Thursday, October 8th. - Thermometer N.G. Very frosty. Dreamed
last night we were going out of bush, very weak and hungry. Came
to our old Michigan Farm and found mother. Wonder where mother is
now. Do want a vacation at home or in Canada. May be won't need
it after ride on steamer. Finished Height of Land portage and came
on to place where we dried caribou (second time), at head of
Ptarmigan Lake. I caught four fish, small trout, while Wallace was
going back for rifle, which he had left at far end of small lake.
Wallace came back with partridge. This delayed us and we did not
reach good fishing rapid. Hoped to get trout there. Did catch a
few before - failed to-night. Bright crisp day too. George very
blue in consequence. Wallace and I not worried. Pea meal down to
less than two pounds. No other food save tea. Thinking much of
home and M., and our plans and old friends. I want to keep better
in touch with relatives everywhere and the country. How I wish for
that vacation in Michigan or Canada! or a good quiet time at
Congers, and I am aching to write home sketches and stories that
have come to my mind. We talk much of future plans, and the camp
fire continues to be a glorious meeting place.
Friday, October 9th. - Reached good fishing hole at rapid where we
caught so many trout on way up. Got about fifty in P.M. Glorious,
crisp fall day. Dried blankets. Fifteen trout lunch; twelve
supper; then six roast before bedtime. Disappointing.
