M. we reached the
head of Long Lake it was too rough to venture on, and we had to go
into camp.
I felt rather desperate that night, and sick with disappointment.
One week of precious time was gone, it was the 16th of the month,
and we were only thirty miles, perhaps a little more, from the
Height of Land. How was it possible to reach the post in time for
the ship now?
"We will get you there about two days before the ship arrives,"
George insisted.
"When we get down below the lakes we can make forty miles a day if
the weather is good," said Joe.
But I was not reassured. When we should get down below the lakes
we could travel fast perhaps; but the last one, Indian House Lake,
where the old Hudson's Bay Company post had been, was still far,
far north of us, and no one knew what lay between. Perhaps there
was a bare possibility that we might make the journey in ten days;
but I knew I could not count on it. Had I a right to undertake the
return journey with its perils? I was not sure.
My tent was sweet that night with the fragrance of its carpet of
balsam boughs, and a big bunch of twin flowers, which grew in
profusion there; but it was late before I slept.
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