THE NET IN THE BAY.
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THE
MQNTJiHAl
J. Job bin 8
NET IN THE BAY
OR,
THE JOUKNAL OF A VISIT TO
MOOSE AND ALBANY.
BY
FIRST BISHOP OF RUPERT'S LAND.
^cconti ©tfttfon.
I '
LONDON:
HATCHARDS, PICCADILLY.
1873.
9
DAVID A^NDEESON, D.D. "Jp .
LONDON:
Printed by John Stbahoeways,
Cftstle St. Leicester Sq.
TO
AX i:STEE^rED CII-RISTTAN T.ADV
AND
A J5EL0VEI) IJKOTIlEli.
Ci)i^ fJati-atibr
OF
A VISIT TO OUR EASTERN MISSIONS,
F0STE1{EI) BY THEIR LIBERA!. ITY,
IS GRATEFULLY. AND AFFECTIONATELY
DEDICATED.
PREFACE.
It might, at first sight, appear that the narrative
of a jouriiGy of two thousand four hundred miles,
involving an absence from home of nearly sixteen
weeks, througli a country but rarely visited, must
necessarily contain miioh of stirring incident. To
those, however, who know anything of the solitari-
ness of this wide territory, the difficulty will rather
appear to be to vary the monotony of the detiiil of
each passing day. Yet the scenes presented to the
eye, the general method of travelling, and erspecially
tlie first dawn of religious life, are so di^e'ent from
anything in other lands, that few days were alt
* See ' Notes of the Flood,' Hatchards.
B
2 THE NET IN THE BAT.
Just before starting I received letters from England
of a very late date, reaching to May Gth, having
bocn little more than seven weeks on their way.
'J'iiuy were forwarded to me during the night,
through tlie kindness of Mr. Black, of the Upper
Fort, who knew well the delight with which they
would be hailed before leaving. I heard from
them with much grief of the death of the esteemed
and valued missionary, Mr. Weitbrecht, called very
suddenly hence ; but we doubt not that to him it
was a call to sudden glory. This grief was qualified
by the good tidings that a bishoj) was about to bo
consecrated for Sierra Leone, making the third in
Africa, — our own two at Capo Town and Sierra
Leone, and Bishop Payne, of the American Church,
at Cape Talmas. To these we may almost indeed
add a fourth, as the congregations in Egypt and
Abyssinia full under the spiritual jurisdiction of
our own bishop at Jerusalem ; and it is strange to
notice, in connexion with this, that the first bishop
of that see should have died near Cairo. that
we might ere long see an opening for another on
the eastern coast at llabba, where Dr. Kra])f has so
assiduously laboured, or hear again of a bishop of
Hippo in tlie north, as in the days of old !
1 found many up at the Lower Fort to say fare-
well, and to see me otF. After some little time had
been spent in getting the sui)plies from the store,
and other preliminaries, the canoe was at last
launched into the water. It had been decorated,
by the kindness of one of my scholars, with such
THE NET IN THE DAY. 3
colours as could bo procured. It bore a mititj
l^aiutod on the stern, (ind on the reverse side a
representation of the union flag. At the bow there
was — pcrliaps not in very strict keeping with the
«,bovc — a rose and a duck. For the latter I might
have substituted the dove with the olive-branch,
had I known of it in time ; l)ut it wns done to
surprise mo, and tlie more familiar object was
naturally enough selected. We i)assed very quickly
down to the Indian settlement, where I had pro-
mised to breakfast, and see some persons on busi-
ness. We were very deep in the water, although,
after all, we had left buhind some bags of flour and
pemmican. This, of course, sotiiewhat retarded our
progress ; but it was necessary to carry supplies for
the homeward journey, as no grain or other pro-
vision could be furnished along this comparatively
unfrequented route ; and for the same reason my
own personal luggage was reduced within as small
a compass as possible. A tin box, containing my
robes and a few articles of clothing, a waterproof
leathern bag with some other necessaries, and a
very small box with papers, letters, and two or
three books, — this was all that I could carry for so
long a journey. The butfalo-robe and blankets for
my bedding were spread out in the centre of tlio
canoe, and, with a pillow at my ba-ck, foi'mcd my
seat for the day. The eanoo itself was a large
one — a canoe du nor"
ashore before we saw the curling smoke on the
opposite side, where we descried some Indian tents.
The air was so clear that, though it was like a
broad lake, the call of our men was heard across,
and almost directly the shrill voice of the Indian
sounded in reply. A canoe soon made for our side,
and the Indians brought us five sturgeons ; after
which they sat round the fire to chat with the men.
On finding out who my comj)anion was, there was a
general shout of recognition, as they all traded with
his father, and had, of course, seen him often as a
boy. On returning after many years, changed in
appearance — having been »>ichin the Arctic circle —
16 THE NET IN TUE BAY.
their wonder and admiration were mnch raised.
Many an Indian interjection was uttered, and they
seemed scarcely able to satisfy their eyes as they
gazed upon him.
We were still a considerablo distance from
Islinfrton, much more than a Sabbath-day's jour-
ney ; and I determined, therefore, to give up all
idea of reaching it even for a later service, and to
enjoy a quiet Sabbath here.
July 4:th. — Sunday. — A lovely morning of great
heat. After breakfast we prepared for service : a
large oil-cloth was stretched across the trees behind,
so as to form a partial shelter froni the rays of the
sun. Here we were ten in number — my eight men,
my companion, and myself. Robes were, of course,
dispensed with in our open-air services. All I could
do was to make my travelling attire a little more
episcopal with apron and bands. The men, also,
were in their best capotes ; so that the reverence
due) to the day was marked, as far as our circum-
stances would admit. Some of the Indians bf^
come over, and remained close to us throughout,
gazing in wonder. It almost reminded one of the
court of the Gentiles. At the commencement of
service we were disturbed by the dogs in the tentu
opposite barking after their masters ; but after a
time this ceased ; and, on my looking around during
the lessons, I saw two dogs which had swum across
the whole width, and, lying down at their masters'
feet, now perfectly contented.
What a noble temple ! In front an amphitheatre
THE NET IN THE DAY. 17
of wood and rock, with the exquisite forsground of
still water, of which there was a largo expanse —
larger than many of the smaller English lakes.
We were ourselves on a rocky eminence, under a
thickly- wooded bank. Our singing was good —
almost every voice joined. We sang ' Frequent the
day of God returns,' and ' Jesus shall reign where'er
the sun.' All joined in the responses, and this made
a delightful service, very happy and heavenly. I
preached from llomans, x. 17, 18 : * So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God. But I say, have they not heard 1 Yes, verily,
their sound went into all the earth, and their words
unto the ends of the world.' The latter verse we
had had in the Psalms for the day. I dwelt on
the manner in which faith gi'ows by hearing, in
natural things as well as in grace, and on the word
of God as the food of faith. I pressed upon my
men the necessity of their labour and co-operation :
they could often speak to the ear more than I
could. I also begged them to tell the Indians that
we had all the service in which we had joined in
their own tongue, that the Prayer-book was now
completed, and many hymns appended to it ; be-
sides which, we had the greater part of the Gospels.
I asked them especially to bless God for the un-
numbered mercies of the week, and to pray for the
good work. What myriads of creatures tenanting
the water around ! what swarms of insects in the
air overhead ! what thousands of animals that roam
over this vast country ! Now surely it was the
18 TIIR NET IN THE DAY.
winh of that groat and good God who upheld all
that it should bo trodden also by tlio foot of Ills
rodeomed people — that the H])iritual seed should
multifdy therein and cover the land] Lot us pray
that the Indian might worship witli us — not alono
hi the outer court, but brought within the fold,
uniting with us in heart and voice.
I expressed my wish tliat our little canoe should
bo called the Hose — the emblem which she bears
on the bow. With the profusion of that flower
scattered all around I had been much struck, yet
there is the absence of the delicacy and rich fra-
grance of our own graceful varieties ; and it
occurred to me that such is the Indian still —
roaming over the land, and numerous in particular
spots, yet still the wild rose. may we not hojjo
to introduce the beauty and bloom of the flower
when cultivated and placed in the * garden en-
closed 1 ' May we not hope that they may yet
become as the rose of Sharon or Damascus of old,
bearing the bud, and blossom, and full flower of
abundant grace ! May the little trip of the
' swift messenger ' hasten on this blessed consum-
mation, that ' the wilderness and solitary place may
be glad for it, and the desert rejoice and blossom
as the rose ! '
After service we parted into groups. I gave my
own men some tracts and books. H. A. Mackenzie
read some passages, in Ogibwa, to the Indians ;
James M'Kay read to me some hymns with which
he was familiar, from Dr. O'Meara's Prayer Book,
THE NKT IN THE BAY. 19
and, after leaving mo, I heard him soon singing
with the Indians, one of the liymns whieli wo had
sung in their own tongue. I hoard also a littlo
girl say her alphabet and read ; she was one of the
children who had received some teaching at the
Wliito Dog. Wliile I wrote and filled up my
journal, these varied sounds were going on around :
the hymn in Ogibwa, some hymns of our own, and
the reading in groups. Among the females, who
had come over and remained near us during service,
one was mentioned to mo as ill, with the request
that I would see her, and, if possible, proscribe. It
was, I fear, a case of internal abscess of the breast,
and I felt I could do nothing towards her cure ; a
little food was given iicr, being all that was in my
power. We also heard that a littlo girl lay dead in
their encampment over the water. So much need
have they here, as everywhere else (if they but
knew their need), of comfort, and the visits of the
minister of God,
I had full evening service, about half-past five
o'clock, with my own little party and three or four
Indians near us. Having tlie two beautiful psalms
in the service, * The Saviour on the Cross,* and
' The Shepherd Saviour,' I took the latter and
lectured on it. For profit and growth in grace
and scriptural knowledge, this, in my opinion, is
the most useful employment of a double service : to
preach on the one occasion a direct textual sermon,
and on the other to lecture or expound. More of
Scripture is thus brought successively before the
20 THE NET IN THE BAT.
congregation. It was a refreshing subject to look
at the good Shej^herd as guiding us even in the
wilderness.
After service I went over in one of their small
canoes to visit the encampment, and to bid farewell
to them all. There were two or three tents. I
entered the largest, and there found the son of
Wassacheese, sitting in solitary state. I was about
to sit down where I saw some articles expanded,
and where at first I thought he had prepared a seat
for me, but I found, on a second look, that those
were the idols of the chambers of imagery, the
instruments of his art as a conjuror, and the feast
spread out for the spirits. I asked him to explain
his magic art, which he said he woula if I would
give him some flour. I gave him instead a little
tobacco, and then heard his tale. He showed me,
as a special favour, that which gave him his power
— a bag with some reddish powder in it ; he allowed
me to handle and smell this mysterious stuff, and
pointed out two little dolls or images, which, he
said, gave him authority over the souls of others ; it
was for their support that flour and water were
placed in small birch-rind saucers in front. I said
1 hoped he would, ere long, give all this up ; that I
had baptized already Jummia, as noted a conjuror
as himself, now John Sumner, at Fairford, and I
hoped he would soon follow his example. He said
he might, if in his power, but that it was a trust
delegated to him by others, and therefore he could
not relinquish it at will, and spoke on in a rambling
THE NET IN THE BAY. 21
and mysterious strain. He acknowledged that he
was continually tlie victim of fear ; he dreaded the
influence which others might have over him even at
a distance : a like influence he imagined he could
exert over others, by means of his conjurations. 1
told him that we knew not what fear was, and,
through the interpreter, besought him not to reject
the offer of the Gospel. It was a sickening sigjit,
and proves how low man may fall when left to
grope in the dark. What a debasing picture ! to
see him, otherwise a good-looking man, sitting on
the left side of his little altar, pride and fear ap-
parently his predominant passions i The altar was
raised a little on some Indian matting, and on it,
ranged in order, the bags and images, and all the
instruments of his craft. 0, what is man without
the grace of God I
I then left him with some sadness, and turned to
the females outside, endeavouring to arrest their
attention, by telling them that it was to the be-
nevolence of a Christian lady in a far-distant land,
that they were indebted for the offer of instruction
at Islington, and that on her aecount I was peculiarly
anxious that females should be taught and embrace
the Gospel I saw very many children ; one little
child, who had been at the school, showed by her
manner, in her eye and countenance, that education
had done something for her. When I asked her by
what name she was known, she said at once, Eliza-
beth ; she was then absent from the school for a
little, but was to be returned, they said, in winter.
22 THE NET IN THE BAY.
On my way back we saw the ground where the
conjuror professed that they wanted to sow and
cultivate ; it was indeed a very small garden (kitigan)
for agricultural purposes, and I rather fear that lie
had retired hither, and artfully professed a desire
to plough and settle, that he might be removed
from the sight of religion, and establish himself at
a distance from Islington.
We then paddled back, the remembrance of the
Conjuror and his arts being the only painful inci-
dents in the day. It recalled to mind a powerful
sermon, by the Rev H. Melvill, on the Ephesians
burning their books of magic. When will such a
day arrive in our own land, when those wdio ' use
curious arts will come and confess and show their
deeds?' Their natural fears, regarding the state
after death, and the confidence which they repose
in the European, betrayed themselves in their
earnest desire that we should undertake the inter-
ment of the dead child, which they were willing
should take place either on the spot or at Islington.
I represented the difficulty of removing the body to
such a distance, and recommended them to select a
spot at hand, assuring them that we would readily
have given them any assistance in our power, had
it not been that "we must start at an early hour on
the morrow. As the sini declined the mosquitoes
again came out in clouds ; we tried the effect of a
little gunpowder in my tent, but in vain, and there
was little sleep for myaelf or any of the men.
Juli/ 5fh. — Arose early, at four o'clock ; a little
THE NET IN THE BAY. 2^
cloud was rising opposite the sun, which the men
said must be watched. It mounted very rapidly,
and soon ended in a heavy but short thunder-storm.
On its clearing off we started, a little before six,
and proceeded on our way, delighted to find it cooler
than for many days. We reached the large falls
called Les Chutes de Jacob, where the Indians
came up with us, and assisted us across. We kept
onwards and made another portage, the last but
one, and passed the mouth of the English river.
This would have been our direct route to Lac Seul,
but we kept onwards to reach Islington, our course
in this way forming a sort of delta. The scenery
was here very pretty, increasingly so as we neared
White Dog. We were in great hopes of reaching
it this evening, and from the last portage, where
the water was beautifully still, we started, paddling
at a very rapid rate. We kept on until after three
o'clock, when the darkness compelled us to look
round. Heavy clouds were rising behind, but we
hoped to keep ahead of the thunder-storm which
was following close upon us, or that it might pass
to the side. But it seemed to take, on a sudden,
another course, and, as it were, to meet and encircle
us. We had the choice of running to the side,
where the ground seemed bad, or of crossing an
opening which lay before us. We thought we could
do this, but it proved rather a bold venture, as the
wind caught us suddenly, and placed us in great-
jeopardy. The men paddled as for their lives, but
the storm was so loud that they could not hear any
24 THE NET IN THE BAY.
word of command, nor could the giiido pass any
direction to the steersman. There was no direct
swell or wave, but the canoe rocked and plunged,
and the paddles could not catch the water ; at
times they struck the air, at others were too deep
in the wave. They stretched the tarpauling over
the canoe, and under it I lay with my companion,
as flat as possible ; but the wind managed to insert
itself underneath, and caught it like a sail, so as
nearly to capsize us. We then held it down as
tightly as we could with our hands, and quietly
awaited the issue of the storm, which was almost
like a whirlwind. The men acted nobly, and ex-
hibited great presence of mind ; to paddle in time
with measured stroke, was vain, — it was a stroke at
a venture as they could, the water reaching con-
tinually to the very gunwale of the canoe. The
pitching was very great, and the fe " was that the
wind would overset us. We might lave made the
land when the storm was just coming on in
its violence, but they feared to turn the bow ever so
little, lest the storm should take us broadside, and
the canoe become unmanageable. We had some-
times wished to sail before the wind, when the
weather was calm through the previous week ; here
we were indeed running before it, but much faster
than we desired. We kept as straight a course as
we could, and flew over the boiling surface, and our
delight was extreme when able to reach the shore.
It was the only occasion, throughout the whole
journey, on which I had the impression of danger.
THE NET IN THE BAY. 25
and the men acknowledged that they had them-
selves shared in the same feeling. The joy of the
evening was in proportion to the peril of the after-
noon ; the rain continued for a time, but all was
forgotten when, standing beside the blazing fire
under the tall pines and poplars, we talked over
the deliverance and traced it throughout, and then
joined at prayers in ascribing praise and blessing to
God for preserving us, for keeping us under the
shadow of His wing, in the hollow of His hand, in
the hour of danger.
July ^th. — I never enjoyed a night more ; no
mosquitoes, and, in consequence, after the fatigue
and peril of the day, and as we had but a short
distance to go, no arousing until six o'clock, when
we found it a beautiful morning, with a cleared
atmosphere. All were in spirits, the stroke of the
paddle went on well, and after a few points we
could discern the buildings in the distance. A
little more brought us to the bank, where the good
catechist was waiting to receive and welcome us. I
do not wonder at Mr. James calling it pretty — it is
so indeed ; a grassy slope and eminence, with beauti-
ful and picturesque openings around ; more of the
scenery of the Rhine than anything we had seen
by the way.
The details of the first formation of the Mission
are already before the public, in the narrative of
Mr. James.* That the Indian promised more at
that time than he has since performed will not ap-
* * Church Missionary Intelligencer,' vol. iii. p. 02.
26 THE NET IN THE BAY.
pear surprising to those who know the Indian char-
acter, and therefore all would stand prepared for
some little disappointment in the carrying out of
the plan. Allowing for this, I see little more than
might have been anticipated. It may not have
answered every expectation, but I cannot think of
giving it up. It is the only spot for the purpose
on the route, and must always be a great rendez-
vous for the Indians. It is a beautiful position for
a church, and a tower or spire here would itself be
a kind of beacon, and might serve to attract souls
to the sound of the Gospel. If a few are gained
here, the work will spread. It is on the highroad
to Canada, and that is a great advantage. It has
the manifest support of that Christian lady, whose
heart has been stirred up to care for the poor Indian
— it has her fervent prayers, and those of many
Christian friends at home.
I found the Rat Portage chief here ; ho had been
awaiting my arrival for some days, and was on the
point of leaving. He will not join the new way
himself, but will encourage the Indians to settle
and cultivate. He expressed his sorrow that the
Indians had promised too much last year, and
feared lest we should relinquish it in consequence.
I told him that we should still proceed on though
with few ; that I hoped yet to see a church and a
spire, and trusted he would aid in building it. He
left soon after with his son; he is a fine-looking
man, with a good and masculine manner. He had
his flag flying on my arrival at his tent below.
THE NET IN TUE BAT. 27
I saw after^v . ds Wassachceso and an old Indian,
and talked with them for some time, but I am most
hopeful of Littleboy, who is not here at present,
but whom we shall see by the way. The following
is the touching account of him given me by our
catechist. On paying him a visit the other day at
his encampment some way off, and speaking in his
tent, Philip had said that he would tell them some-
thing of God's word, and then pray ; that, although
with those who never prayed, he must pray ; that
he would not think it safe to pass a night without
prayer ; and that God was indeed good who pre-
served those who prayed not to him. A little after
this, Philip overheard the wife of Gwiwisens (Little-
boy) saying to her husband, * We must really think
of this way, and be baptized soon, as the time is
very short !' Such was their conversation, and from
it I look forward with much pleasant anticipation
to seeing them.
I determined to remain a full day here, and to
start on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morn-
ing. This will give me time to confer with Philip
Kennedy, whose labours have been very praise-
worthy. My hope is to build a church soon, and
to offer to take the wood of the old Roman Catholic
building at a valuation.* Twice already has the
place been attempted by tlie Roman Catholics and
Wesleyans ; this would make me more anxious to
* This wood has einca been purchased from the R. C.
Bishop, at Red River.
28 THE NET IN THE BAY.
give it a fair trial. Philip must have laboured mucli
to get the house ready ; an additional room liad
been prepared for my reception. It is this which
often causes me pain, the fear that I give trouble
in my visits. Thus Mr. Hunter had carried out
some improvements just before my an'ival at Cum-
berland, in 1850; Mr. Cowley had just finished a
new room in the winter of that year, and here
much time and labour had been given to the com-
pletion of an apartment. I was glad of the oppor-
tunity of examining my things, fearing some damage
from the rain yesterday. I found that the wet had got
into the box containing my robes, so that they had
to be spread out and dried. A few of my papers had
also suffered a little, but all was soon set to rights
and repacked. While occupied in my room, I heard
the children, through the wuil, singing the airs of
Helmsley and Aston Sandford, and I felt at once as
if I were at the Red Kiver, among those who pray
to God and love the Saviour.
I wrote home, giving an account of our safe
arrival, as I was anxious to leave the letters with
Philip to be forwarded to the lied River. This con-
sumed some little time, and I then went to hear the
children read and sing. They sang Bedford, the
Old Hundredth, St. Augustine, and others, to Saul-
teaux words — the hymns at the end of Dr. O'Meara's
Prayer Book. We then mustered for evening prayers,
and we sang the 23rd Psalm to Bedford. I did not
think when lecturing on it on Sunday, that I should
hear it so soon from the lips of Indian children. The
THE NET IN THE BAY. 29
translation of the vorso, * Though I walk through
the valley,' (kc, is very simple and happy : —
' Neboowen nengali kuhhokaun
Kali nengali kootunseen,
Jesus oo sliahwanjegawen
Neugah wahsashkahgouu.'
And the last verso is equally expressive : —
* MahneJoo ne ahahwanemek
Akoo beraaVidezyaun ;
Kagate, nengah buhineetahwah
I'eenesh koo nebooyaun.'
The version of the Advent Hymn, * Lo ! He
comes,' is not inferior, the first stanza ending very
beautifully,
' HaUclnjah ;
Oogeniah pe tubgweshen.'
I am glad that the word * Hallelujah' is thus
retained and rendered familiar to the Indian ear.
I hope also that the word * Jehovah,' which occurs
at the commencement of the 23rd Psalm, will take
root in the same way ; they are words which ought
to be incorporated into every tongue. We then
sang a hymn in English, and joined in prayer in
that tongue, closing with the Lord's Prayer and
benediction, in Saulteaux, which I could just pro-
nounce, the children following and taking up the
words of the former. It w^as a pleasing scene,
and gave me a lively hope that a good work was
rooting here, the fruits of which might appear at
30 THE NET IN THE BAY.
tho last day. I do not feci anxious to encourage
them in immediate profession or promise. The one
couple so often referred to in Mr. James's journal,
Wassacheeso and his wife, have applied for marriage
and baptism, and, as they have been anxious for a
year, I scarcely feel justified in declining. The other
case will meet us by the way, perhaps tho more
hopeful, Littlcboy with his wife ; they have a fine
family of sons ; may their progeny become the
nucleus of a future church.
July 7th. — After a delightful night's rest, under
a roof, I arose for the morning's work. Held morn-
ing prayers, and then, in presence of those as-
sembled, baptized Wassachecse and his wife, by the
names of Abraham ]and Sarah, with James as their
surname, after him who laid the foundation of the
mission. I also united them together in marriage. I
spoke to them afterwards in private, urging them
to build and farm, and have a settled habitation.
By this they may gain an influence over other mem-
bers of their family, which is a large one. I spoke
next to the five girls of their kind benefactress over
the sea, and asked them if they had any message
to send by me. They sent their thanks and pro-
mised to pray for her. Distributed among them
some Sunday clothing, wdtli a handkerchief and
comb each, in the name of their kind friend. I
next saw the seven boys, and gave them some
clothing, with a red belt for Sunday wear.
I then conversed with the catechist regarding
the affairs of the station. Its distance from the
THE NET IN THE BAY. 31
settlement, and inability to support itself by fish-
ing, have led to a much larger outlay than could
have been anticipated ; but all would bo abund-
antly repaid, if it might become ultimately a centre
of light and civilisation. It was now an Migcd to
take Philip with me as far as the encampment on
English River, where wo expect to find the Indian
party awaiting us. We therefore prepared to start
soon after midday, taking some refreshment at an
early hour, ho as to secure a long afternoon.
We started soon after one o'clock ; Philip Ken-
nedy in one canoe, with three of Littleboy's sons,
and another Indian to paddle him. The scenery
was beautiful around, indeed the situation of Isling-
ton is just what would be chosen at home for a
romantic country-scat ; the walks cut through the
woods would be picturesque, and the boating in
every direction would afford constant amusement
and variety.
We soon arrived at one portage, and that a long
and tangled one. It would have required the sap-
pers and miners to clear a pathway, and open up
sufficient room for my large canoe. One of our
men preceded with an axe, cutting to the right and
left, both the overtopping branches and the smaller
trees. One thought at once of the highway of the
Lord — of the method in which the path of the
conqueror was opened of old, and the call to the
messengers of the cross, ' Prepare ye the way of the
Lord.' The Indians helped vigorously in carrying
our pieces, which expedited us greatly. At the
32 THE NET IN THE BAY.
furthor extremity wo entered upon a little river,
with a very narrow channel. On getting to a wider
spot, emerging into something of a Hniall lake, the
canoes being near, the men began, almost involun-
tarily, to race against each other, becoming as they
proceeded, very eager in it. It was animating to
us all ; for a time we kept up and had hopes of
victory, but the Indians on their own element at
last prevailed. They were, however, light with only
five, while we were heavy with ten and a full cargo.
We had soon the current with us, descending a tri-
butary of the English River into that river itself,
which we crossed, and arrived, about seven p.m., at
the encampment, where Littleboy was, with a large
party around him.
The cheerful old man soon descended the bank
to welcome us ; I had seen him several times at
the Red River, but his good-natured and lively
countenance is always refreshing. He was at the
time engaged in preparing a canoe for the settle-
ment. We were soon ashore, when I at once pro-
ceeded to their tent, a very large one, roofed over
with boughs, and bearing an appearance of much
comfort within. I entered with Philip, but the in-
terview was not very satisfactory ; there was an
air of constraint about the old man, very difierent
from the spirit iu which he had hitherto spoken to
Philip. Our only way of accounting for it was
from the number assembled, and the fear of speak-
ing openly before those who still opposed Christi-
anity. Here were six or eight families all under
TIIK NKT IN THE DAY. 33
ono roof; each liad a sort of allotted portion of the
«}ong tent. I spoke to them, after Philip had en-
deavoured to draw them out, and said how eagerly
would they have received me, if bringing tidings
regarding their bodies, that henceforth they could
be fed and clothed without fear or want of any
kind ; how much more gladly ought they to receive
one, with tidings for their immortal souls.
I then returned to my own quarters, perhaps a
little disappointed ; but 1 had nt»t been long there,
when David, one of the sons, followed, and begged
me not to think anything of what had passed ;
that he had l)een urging his father to accept the
ofier, and embrace the present opportunity. I had,
in consequence, another into* view with them, when
all was more open, and withoi.L disguise j some of
the others had left, and wo were now more alone
with those willing to listen. I wish I could de-
scribe the scene ; there was the old couple and
their four sons ; in addition, there was an old Cana-
dian, 13aptisto Cameron, a grey-haired old man,
very shrivelled, and with but scanty clothing. He
had been taken to Canada when yoimg, and had
the offer of education there, but had requested to
be allowed to return to this territory, to bid fare-
well to his friends, and see once more his old
haunts. It was then, he said, a fine country, with
abundance of the larger animals, and he preferred
remaining amidst plcnt}-^, with the excitement of a
hunter's life, to returning to civilization. As life
ebbed he had repented, when too late, of his
i>
34 THE NET IN THE BAY.
choice. The old man "was anxious about himself,
and had freely given up to Philip the badges of his
former faith as Roman Catholic, some relics and
crosses which had been given him by the priests.
There was, besides, a tall old man, who goes by the
name of Rabbitskin, and who seemed disposed to
embrace the tnith. David now pressed the matter
much on his father, and all took a different course ;
he urged the shortness of life, and said that for
himself he wished to be baptized, but would rather
await my return, that lie and his wife might at the
same time be married and baptized. We talked to
them for some time, and prayed with them.
I then determined to baptize on the morrow the
three, the father and mother, and Rabbitskin, to
leave David and his wife for my return, hoping to
find them either here or at Islington. I was
pleased to find that Mr. Mackenzie, of Rat Portage,
had lu'ged David to become a Christian, and also
that Mr. Sinclair had addressed them on his way,
advising them to settle and pray.
July ^th. — Awoke very early, but found that
Philip was stirring before me. I dressed, and we
then went down to the Indian tent ; they were
only JLii^t getting up; told the candidates for bap-
tism to come to me in a little time. The morning
was rather threatening, with high wind, and it
almost disconcerted my plan of baptizing them, as
in early times, by the river side. But, on hinting
this to my men, they pointed at once to the lee-
side of the promontory where we were. I stepped
THE NET IN THE BAY. 35
ilown, and there found it without a ripple, with a
■teautiful ledge of rock. I then assembled them,
Lhat we might have prayers, and, in presence of
'hem all, prepared to administer the rite of bap-
tism.
Tiie three had conic over neatly dressed, partly
in some clothing which I had brought tliem.
Littleboy in a new capoto, Ilabbitskin in a new
shirt and handkerchief. They stood by my side.
We sang together, ' Come, let us join our cheerful
songs.' After which I road Acts, x. 25, to the end,
and tiien joined iu prayer, especially for those to
be baptized. I next explained to my own party
what was about to be done ; that I had purposely
read the chapter of Philip and the Eunuch, that
they might see how similar God's Church and
people are in all times. The Eunuch's knowledge
was probably not great, but the Spirit had touched
his heart, and he was baptized on the river side,
md went on his way rejoicing. So the knowledge
)f those before me might not bo great, but tlicy
>eemed to have a sense of sin and weakness, and a
lesire for the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.
I then put the questions to the candidates tliem-
iclves in a short and simple form, whether they
svoidd give up tlie devil and all his works ; whether
uhey believed in the great and good God — in His
laving sent His Son to die for us — in His having
dven His Holy Spirit to put into our hearts new
thoughts and desires. Philip then offered up a
ihort prayer in Saulteaux, giving the substance of
36 THE NET IN THE BAY.
our baptismal prayers. After this, taking Little-
boy V)y the right hand, I led him to the river's
brink, and, with its water, baptized him Adam, in
the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Next
his wife, Elizabeth, and then taking the tall old
man in the same way, I baptized him Philip. Tlie
two former will be henceforth Adam and Elizabeth
Landon, after the name of our generous and large-
hearted benefactress ; the latter, Philij) Kennedy,
after our worthy catechist, to whose simple faith
and earnestness some souls will, I doubt not, trace
(under God) their everlasting happiness.
Sucli was tlie simple, yet impressive, rite on the
banks of the English River : do I err in calling it
an apostolic and spiritual service 1 What could be
nearer to the circumstances in the Acts] Here
were two, with whom Philip had often talked of a
Saviour ; their sons had joined him often in his
canoe, and gone with him to Ked River, and the
one son urges the father, the wife urges the husband
not to delay, but to seek now admission to the fold.
There is the rock on which we stand ond the water
of their own stream, with which I sprinkle their
heads. Yet the very stream bears a foreign name,
and is called by them the English River — telling
whence come to them the life-giving tidings of the
Gospel. Applying this in a heavenly and spiritual
sense, may we not pray that 'all things may live
whither the river cometh V We have the river of
the name here, and our remotest missionary, the
Rev. R. Hunt, is on an English River in the north.
THE NET IN THE BAY. J«
Bearing the two in mind, may we not pray that,
wherever commerce leads our countrymen in this
land, the river may not only caiTy the traffic of the
country, hut also that more precious freight, tlie
enduring riches that fade not away ; that tlic rivers
of the land may not only hear the name of Britain,
hut may possess something upon them to remind all
of Britain's glory, the word and worship of tlie
living God.
Enjoj'cd afterwai-ds our morning meal, and
ordered some pemmican to he given to the Indians
near us. I arranged, finally, all matters with Mr.
Kennedy, and went to the largo tent to say fare-
well. Tliere I received the grateful thanks of poor
old blind Baptiste Cameron, for the little supply
sent to him ; he lay with but a scanty covering,
a little rabbit-skin coverlet spread over him. I
then inspected the canoe which was being built for
Mr. Mowat, of the Red River, himself a very liberal
cor.tributor to this Mission ; he has already given
thirty pounds towards it, and this by way of instal-
ment on fifty pounds promised. His anxiety was
that it should have been farther oflf, at the Three
Rivers : of the advantage, or the contrary, of that
position, we shall have better means of judging as
we proceed.
I then found my men ready for a start ; the
wind had moderated, but it looked very moist, and
we had only advanced a few miles, when rain com-
pelled us to put ashore and raise our tent. Here
we rested for the day, and I did not much regret it,
38 THE NET IN TTIE BAY.
as it gave the opportunity of i-eviewing the evening
and morning's work in quiet and silence, and uf
completing the journal up to this point.
Amongst those we had just left, one Indian was
very desirous to Imve his child buried at Islington :
the child was already inteiTod, but he wislied it in
our keeping in death, as it had been partly under
our training in life. I promised that it might be
transferred there when the spot for a burying-
ground was selected and fenced.
I cannot but regard all this as settling the
mission at Islington. It will give us several families
for it ultimately, with, we may hope, in time, houses
and farms there ; it will give many children for t^he
school, and therefore I hardly look ipon its con-
tinuance as a doubtful subject, yet all in depen-
dence on the good hand of God. In addition to
our own flock, there are some of Roman Catholic
baptism ; these, as baptized in the name of the
Holy Trinity, we must accept. A few know some-
thing of the distinctive points of the two systems,
and, convinced of their previous errors, have given
up their crosses and relics, as in the case of Bap-
tiste Cameron. To the children we would not yet
say much on the subject, until they gain knowledge
and come forward at a future time for confirmation.
I have told Philip to prepare a list for me of the
baptized persons, marking those of oach class,
against my return, on which occasion I shall look
forward with much interest to the baptism of David
and his wife, and the two orphan children who are
THE NET IN THE BAT. 39
under the guardianship of the old Pelican, now
Philip Kennedy, and who are to be committed at
once to our entire care. Is there not here a little
to encourage hope 1 A school at Fort Alexander,
and a strong missionary station at Islington, would
mark out the country as Christian ; they would be
landmarks on the way from Canada, and at the
entrance to the lake and the Red River. The
Indian may still pass to his hunting-ground, but he
would look to these as his centres of rest and peace;
he would leave his wife and children there, near the
water of life and the ordinances of God : he would
look for his autumn crop and harvest there, to add
to the rice which he miujht find elsewhere. It
would become his farm, his settlement, and village.
Bearing on this, I have often wondered what is
the Indian idea of an otena, or village, and have ob-
tained but little satisfaction. In Canada they may
understand the term, but not here. As illustration
of the inadequacy of their ideas of it, I may give
the case of the son of Adam Landon, who visited
the Red River lately for the first time. On seeing
the old Saulteaux school (now abandoned) below
the Indian settlement, he thought it must be the
mission station ; in passing and seeing the houses
of the Indian village, he concluded this must be
all ; but on seeing the spire of St. Andrew's, and
the large population, the tower of the Middle Church
(now St. Paul's), and still higher up my own build-
ings, the schools and Upper Church, his astonish-
ment was unbounded. He was taken up higher
40 THE NET IN THE BAY.
still to the Upper Fort, where, from the walls, he
could command a view of the country. He com-
menced counting the houses visible from that spot ;
he declared that he counted up as for as one hundred,
and then gave up in despair. This was, of course,
before the late flood, which swept away so many of
the dwellings of the French Canadians and other
settlers. This may show how large the Red River,
or, as I always feel we should call it, Selkirk,* appears
to their eyes ; how it is to them a very metropolis,
as large as London might appear to one travelling
from a village or country town in the north.
We found the to+em gr»i,dually more prevalent as
we advanced. Adam Landon, to whom reference
has often been made, was of the Sturgeon totem ;
while Philip Kennedy, the old Rabbitskin, was of
the Pelican tribe, and another who had arrived
belonged to the Kingfishers. In the sequel the
Suckers and the Cranes will appear. These badges
are usec^ almost like the heraldic emblems on the
shields of the Crusaders. In sketching tlieir route,
and marking it out for those who may be desirous
of following them, they would represent a sturgeon
on the bark, wi^.h smaller sturgeon around to mark
out the whole family.
I would only add, that the name English River
was given because this was the original line of
approach for the Hudson's Bay Company : they
passed by it from James's Bay, when there was
* T am fully satisfied with the name of Winnipeg, "which
has since been given to the growing town.
THE NET IN THE BAY. 41
opposition in the country ; while those of the
Nortli-west Company came by the other route,
along the Canadian lakes. On this account the
names along tlie latter to Lake Winnipeg are
mostly of French origin. Perhaps the same reason
may account also for the name of English River in
ti^e north, where Mr. Hunt now is, as it is the same
with the Churchill River, and would form the direct
line from York or Churchill to those penetrating
the country.
One curious link connecting distant points : I
afterwards ascertained that, while we were enjoying
our* first Simday services in the (Dpcn air, the Rev.
R. Hunt was similarly employed in the north with
the few travelling with him. He mentions in his
journal having met some who knew the hymn
tunes, having learned them at Red River from
others. Thus the same melody was rising up from
spots several hundred miles apart. Has not this in
itself a hallowing and consecrating influence on the
land]
42
CHAPTER ir.
' Rose of the wilderness — an emblem choice
Be thou, the rose ot'Sliaron to represent:
could this tlesirt as tlio rosvi rejoice,
Spread sacred Ijlooni and breathe immortal scent.'
Sonys of the IVilderuessy Bishop Mountain.
Second Sunday — Lac Seul — Height of Land — Third Sunday
— Osuaburgh — Arrival at St. Marlins Falls.
July Wi. — A doubtful morning, yet after break-
fast we prepared to make a start, and were cheered
at intervals by a little sunshine. Advanced to the
first portage, which we found a perfect bush ; the
two next rather shorter. At their extremity we
dined. Delighted to think no more portages for
the day ; all was plain sailing. We were now four
canoea in all, the Landons having overtaken us.
The eldest son of old Adam, and his boy, were in
one small Indian canoe, his wife ana another
female in a second, and old Philip Kennedy in
a third.
Many eagles were seen during the day, and large
flocks of pigeons. Regarding the former, my com-
panion gave me some accounts from his own per-
TUE NET IN TUE BAY. 43
Bonal observation. In the neighbourhood of Peel's
River the numbers of tlicm are very great. At
some spots on that river there are fish which spring
up at intervals and api)car on the surface ; these
the eagles devour, pouncing upon them from al)ove.
He also said that, when out shooting, if the geese
happened to fall at a little distance, or on the
opposite side of the river, five or six eagles would
in a moment collect around the prey to feast upon
it. So true is it that * wheresoever the carcase is,
there will the eagles be gathered together.'
The dragon-fly, too, was numerous where we
dined. I had noticed it, on Sunday morning, in
the little pools near the tent ; but I had not fully
understood its nature. I had watched it for some
time toiling and labouring, I scarcely knew why ;
this was while occupied in disengaging itself from
its pupa case : the forepart was free, but the case
still enveloped the hinder part of the body. At last
it gained the day, and, emerging in its new life,
* Positis novus exuviis, nitidusque juventa,'
it flew aloft into the air. The rocks are often covered
with the old cases from which they have escaped —
the coffins, as it were, from which they have passed
to a resurrection-life.*
* For a very accurate representalion of such an escape
from the pupa case, and a description of the phenomena of
the change in the dragon-fly, quoted from Reaumur, the
reader is referred to two very interesting volumes on ' The
Life of an Insect,' published by the Society for Promoting
Christian Knowledge, erpecially vol. i. from pp. 29tt-308.
44 THE NET IN THE BAY.
There was, also, a smaller fly of a similar descrip-
tion, very numerous, with six small feet and beau-
tifully long antenna).
We reached our destination with the clouds
gathering around. The lire was scarcely kindled,
and the tent pitched, when heavy rain set in, and
continued uninterruptedly all night.
Jult/ \Oth. — Another variable morning, yet we
left our encampment before breakfast. We were
able to carry a little sail at intervals, almost the
first time. Often had we cut a mast, but as often
had to throw it away, the wind falling off; now we
really raised the mast in its place, after Homeric
fashion, and went before the wind. We had some
heavy showers, but we made, notwithstanding, good
progress. The three canoes were in company, with
their little birch-bark sails ; they carry a roll of the
material with them, like a roll of carpeting, and of
this they expand as much as suits their purpose,
and they can pull it in according to their wishes.
No other proof of living beings along the road, yet
a few memorials of the dead. We passed two
graves, or dead -lodges, as they sometimes call
them. These are, at times, large, and full of bones
and remains of the departed. The two we passed
were such, one on each side of the river ; their
shape was that of a triangular pyramid of wcod
around the grave. Sometimes they are of this
shape ; at others, oblong.
We made one remarkable portage, called the
Shahbeechewun ; shortly before we had passed the
THE NET IN THE BAY. 45
Spot where formerly stood a post of the Hudson's
Jiiiy Company, called by the same name, and in
which several at the Ked Itiver had spent their
time of service. The fall is so called from the
rapid rising' and fallinjj^ of the wave, which extends
to some distance around it, and causes an un-
pleasant motion of the canoe. It has a pretty
portage through a tangled bush ; we found a few
strawberries, which were refreshing. We were soon
off again, and made one of our best runs after-
wards ; the men were in full force, the prospect of
the Sabbath's rest gave them s})irit ; the varied
nature of the route the last few days had been a
relief. We had had clouds and siuishine, some
heavy showei's, a rough sea, and then a glassy still-
ness, the sail for a few hours, and then the pad-
dles. All, too, knetv' their work by this time;
Linklater was our active bowsman, behind him
Caleb Anderson and Robert Peebles were ready to
watch the sail, and hoist it up if we could catch a
breath of wind to help us onward ; behind them
was my place and that of my companion ; next to
us were James Mackay and James Wishart, my
own immediate attendants ; they, with David Hal-
cro, were the three on whom, as the strongest and
ablest, devolved the carrying of the canoe ; with
the last-named sat Pierre Robillard, our Canadian,
whose especial work was to look to, and gum, if
necessary, our little bark each night ; and last, not
least, was our steersman, old Jacob Daniel, who
received from all the praise of the greatest know-
46 THE NET IN TIIR DAY.
ledge of the route, the greatest skill in rapids and
falls ; this praise he fully justified, though now in
declining years.
Reach after reach wo now passed with fresh
beauties ; at times we were land-locked, and no
power of divination could imagine how we were to
find an outlet ; then we opened suddenly uiK)n a
little lake, then, perhaps, a nairow river passage
with abrupt rocks on cither side. The men, svlien
all paddling together, sometimes called for one of
the boat songs, challenging the ('anadian to raise
it, but his answer was generally, ' Los avirons
chantent assez,* — Tlie paddles make music enough;
and so it was; when the water was deep and calm,
there is a pleasing sound in the full well-measured
stroke, which makes tlie canoe bound, as with a
spring, over the surface, like a steed over a level
plain.
We saw this day higher ground, with more of
gentle hill and undulation. The wood, too, was
very varied ; at one time we had in view, willow,
poi)lar, fir, pine, oak, cedar, juniper, and birch. On
we passed in search of an encampment, as we had
now become somewhat fastidious. We wanted a
nice spot for the approaching Sunday ; our bowsman
scarcely seemed inclined to stop at all ; spot after
spot was pawned and rejected ; the sun was already
below the horizon, but the sky was still gilded with
his beams. At last one spot was selected as suit-
able for our Sabbath rest, and near half-an-hour, or
more, after sundown, we brought up. Thankfulness
TUE NET IN THE DAY. 47
filled every heart in looking back on the week, the
deliverance of the Monday, and the mercies of the
other days. It had been a light week for the men
from occasional rest, so that noiio were at all over-
done ; it iiad l)cen refreshing to me from the in
terest of the baptisms. Where we landed there
was a little moss covering parts of the rock; among
it the men eagerly selected each his C(nich, and n)y
own tent backed the wliole mider a tree. It was a
lovely cloudless night, and gave promise of a fine
day.
Julij Wlh. — Sundai/. We were not docoivcd in
our expectation ; it was, indeed, a beautiful day,
more pleasant to tlie feelings than the previous
Sunday, the lieat being less intense, and tempered
by a gentle breeze. Of the two scenes, that of the
last Sunday was, jjcrhaps, rather the prettier, the
view being more extensive ; but though the area
now before us was a little smaller, and the fore-
groimd nearer, yet the position of the encampment
itself was much prettier. We were, too, more
quiet ; tlie three canoes had come up ; Landon and
old Philip joined our service, the latter in his clean
blue shirt and handkerchief, and the bright scarlet
leggings which I had given him at the time of his
baptism. They were the only individuals near us ;
old Philip is remarkably still, and his voice you
never hear ; he appears to be of a singularly quiet
and guileless disposition. Landon, his wife, and
boy, and his wife's niece, are on their way to join
her father, a great canoe-builder beyond Lac Seul,
and pass the winter in that quarter.
48 THE NET IN THE BAY.
Our numbci thus twelve, the females not
attending. There was a rise, or step, in the rock ;
on it I placed my audience, and stood myself
between them and the water. While I preached,
they were thus provided with ' vivo sedilia saxo.''
Our hymns were nicely sung, as before ; the verse
which I most felt was that,
' His voice commands the tempest forth
And stills the stormy wave,' &c.,
in the recollection of Monday's peril. My friend
Mackenzie acted as clerk, yet this was scarcely
necessary, as every voice responded. Much I could
have wished to transfer some of the scenes through
which we passed to some more durable shape — the
baptisms on the banks of the English River, and
the scene in the Long Tent the night before ; and
of sketches, though we cannot boast of architecture
or of decorated churches, in the land, I could have
wished engravings of the two cathedrals under the
open heavens, in which we worshipped on these
two Sabbaths.
I lectured on the history of Jacob, taking those
three events in his life ; the vision of Bethel, when
he slept with the stones as his pillow ; the angels
at Mahanaim ; and the angel of the covenant at
Peniel ; concluding with the application, that the
essence of religion is to realize the presence of God ;
to see and behold him by faith here, and face to
face in heaven ; that the life of faith is prayer, such
as that of Jacob, when he exclaimed, ' I \vill not let
THE NET IN THE BAY. 49
thee go except thou bless me.' I trust that we
had the manifested presence of Him, of whom we
heard in the Gospel for the day, as appearing by
the lake, to His disciples, encouraging them by the
miraculous draught of fishes after a long night of
toil, and saying to them, ' Fear not, from hence-
forth thou shalt catch men.' I thought much
during the collect of the blessing of peace,* for the
advancement, especially of an infant Church. Had
we lived during the troubles of the North West and
Hudson's Bay Companies, how little could then
have been done, or had we ''.va,r raging around us,
as in South Africa, how would it be possible for me
to travel in security as now ? How thankful ought
we to feel that no such barriers exist among the
Indians, to prevent one from passing through the
land ! During the afternoon I had a delightful
ramble on the height above us, covered with a pro-
fusion of wild roses ; there was almost a garden on
the top. Here, with the bright sun overhead, and
the beauties of nature so sweetly spread out it
one's feet, I could scarcely refrain from singing,
' Let the wilderness and solitary place rejoice.' I
have a vague impression that there is an anthem
on these words and the adjoining verses of the
chapter; it seemed only to require the inspiration
of the scene to have composed one ; I felt as if I
could sing on, verse by verse, to music of my own,
in what Tupper would have called ' the ecstasy of
being.'
• The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.
E
50 THE NET IN THE BAY.
In the evening we had service again on our rock,
when I preached on the subject of Prayer, as the
mark of the true Israel of God ; considering why,
wlien, and for what we ought to pray. Tlie gentle
breeze had now given way to an appearance of rain,
but it kept off, ind we closed our happy day. I
talked with W. . .andon and P. Kennedy afterwards,
through the interpi*. v, and trust there may be
the germ of life in them, the longing for better
things, which may lead them onward.
Ju/(/ I2th. — We were oflf in good time; much
helped at intervals by favourable winds. Showers
throughout the day. We made, however, rapid
progress, and passed over four portages, and then
the longest in this stage, at the end of which we
encamped in very heavy rain, with deep meadow-
grass between us and the water.
Juli/ 1 3th. — This morning the weather had a good
deal improved. We were somewhat delayed, as the
men had to carry the luggage a long way through
the grass and rushes ; one had to transport me the
same distance ; to my weight, fortunately not very
great, they had now become quite accustomed, as
very often tlie canoe could not be brought quite uj)
to the landing-place. We advanced, with help of
tlie sailwind ; still heavy clouds around. We soon
reached the spot called the ' Three Rivera,' where
some had urged that the Station should be planted,
instead of at White Dog. I did not, after seeing
it, feel a+ all disposed to change, had it been pos-
sible. The situation here is pretty and riant; it
THE NET IN THE BAY. 61
may have more ground adapted for cultivation, and
would admit of a larger settlement, and may also
command a better supply of fish ; but being off the
main line of communication would be, with myself,
an almost insuperable objection ; the outlay w^oukl
be much larger. It is difficult enough at present
to convey what is necessary from Red River, the
centre of supplies ; if removed any farther it would
be almost entirely beyond my own supervision.
The Indians, too, prefer the otlier spot, and are
much drawn to it. The old Indian, Philip, here
left us, having attended us so far on our way. Often
we had missed him for some hours, but we soon
discerned him again, either perched upon a rock,
or stepping down with stately tread w^ith his canoe
into the water. Indeed, the <:ountry is so covered
with water, that he could generally find out some
shorter cut, and, as his bark was no weight upon
his shoulder, he did not mind walking with it over
a neck of land, which would have been to us a long
and heavy portage. He asked me at parting for a
letter to his namesake at Islington, that he might
obtain some ammunition on his return, which 1
readily granted. One now remembers, almost with
a smile, how, on first coming up the country, we
offered the Indians money ; I had now learnt that
this is to them practically useless. Thus the purse
is left behind on starting for a journey, but instead
of this you are obliged to carry a supply of more
cumbrous articles, tobacco, powder and shot, with
cotton and clothing, wherewith to repay any little
02 THE NET IN THE BAY.
service rendered by the way. These constitute, iu
fact, the exchange of the country, and are the only
acceptable gifts.
The other Indians contimiec" with us ; one does
not wonder that the young boy prefers this free life
to school, very attractive to one who does not know
the blessings of learning. They often brought ua
some young ducks, or other game. Their dogs, of
which I imagined the Indians had sadly too many
around their touts, were, I found, of more use than
I was aware of, in scenting out the furs ; yesterday,
while we were resting for dinner, they brought them
three minks, and even this would, iu itself, be some-
thing for them.
We made our two last portages, not by any means
heavy ones. This completes the number of fourteen
between Wahpasemong (White Dog) and Lac Seul
Fort, three before we entered the English River
and eleven since.
We soon after entered on the lake, somewhere
about midday ; the weather had now become very
beautiful, and we enjoyed the day's sail more than
any of the preceding. The views are pretty, the
lake being in every direction studded with islands
of picturesque appearance and outline. Whether
the true name may be Lac Sal or Lac Seul, seems
yet an open question. Far rather would I have the
latter, the solitary or lonely lake, and I imagine
that a misunderstanding of the French may have
led to the former name. From the Indian name,
that of Lac Seul, would come at once, and this
THE NET IN THE BAY. 53
might easily be corrupted into Lac Sale, or, the
Lake of Dirty Water. I was little prepared for so
beautiful a lake, or one so large or so diversified.
A little way on is the Manitoba, and then a run of
a few hours will bring us on to the Fort, our second
stage.
At dinner we found that our friends had aban-
doned one of their canoes, as being old and unsafe,
and were advancing in a single one, in which were
four individuals, and four young dogs, rather a large
cargo. Two of the dogs were sitting erect in the
front, and two behind, indeed they understand
jumping on shore, or taking their places at starting,
as well as their masters, and seem to look around
them as if enjoying the sail. We now offered to
take their little boy into our canoe, as they were
so heavy ; he seemed quite pleased with his promo-
tion, and commencpd using his paddle in his best
style. Our evening encampment was the perfection
of a resting-place, a rocky island, but beds nearly
for each and all of us, of soft white moss, so that
all had themselves to blame if they did not sleep
as on beds of down. Not that a soft bed affords
the rest necessary after a hard day's la])our ; the
men uniformly say that they get up from such un-
refreshed, but when, as here, the hard rock is
underneath the mossy covering, then the back is
well supported, and the whole frame is invigorated
by the repose.
On the island, I noticed to the men the moun-
tain ash, which does not grow at the Red River,
54 THE NET IN THE BAY.
but which Mackay said was abundant on tlio Mis-
sissippi. It reminded me of early days, and of its
more common name in Scotland, the Rowan ; the
berries were already formed, but colourless ; one
can imagine their beauty on the trees amid the snow
of winter, and the plentiful food which it must
afford the birds.*
Jnli/ \Uh. — I was up before the dawn, and wit-
nessed a glorious sunrise from the canoe. The wind
was too scanty to fill the sails, and fell as the sun
rose ; all were in good spirits at getting near the
post. We passed through the Manitoba here, as
on Manitoba Lake, a narrow pass connected in
former times with their superstitions, and called the
Spirit's Pass. Near it an island was pointed out,
where an Indian was hung for stabbing his master
in charge of the post. Such occurrences are very
rare, the Indians being for the most part much
attached to those with whom they are connected.
I only remember hearing of one other such case,
the father of one of my own pupils, killed at Fort
Kamploops, over the Rocky Mountains ; the murder
at Hannah Bay, to which reference will afterwards
be made, was of quite a different nature.
We breakf\isted on one of the islands, which dot
the surface of the lake. From it, one of the men
counted, without any effort, thirty-nine visible to
the eye. The total number on the lake must be
* See the tree described in the' Songs of the Wilderness,'
p. 27.
THE NET IN TIIK BAY. 55
very largo ; reminding one of the Lake (towards
Canada) of the Thousand Isles. Some, which lie
across the more direct route, have names given
them, but old Pierre, who professed to know them
all, after for a time enumerating them to us as we
passed, was at last compelled to give in ; we were
half inclined to suspect that his powers of invention,
rather than of memory, failed.
From continued expectation, the Fort seemed to
recede in the distance. We threaded our way
among the islands, changing our course at every
turn. The paddling was very heavy from the in-
tense heat ; we could scarcely catch a breath of
air, but as we opened on each fresh islet, the
cedars wafted their fragrance towards us. The Fort
is so well concealed that one does not see it until
within a few hundred yards of the house. We saw
beforehand, where the old house had stood, the in-
mates of which had been almost starved out many
years ago. Brought to the last extremity, they
were about to draw lots for each other, when an
Indian providentially arrived with supplies. No-
thing of the kind need now be feared. Mr. Mac-
kenzie has a good garden, and raises a large quan-
tity of potatoes, besides other vegetables, turnips,
cabbages, &;c. There are also eighteen or twenty
head of domestic cattle, and all has thus a home
look.
We arrived before midday, and the flag was in a
moment hoisted. Mr. Mackenzie was not himself
at home, having left with his boats for Albany.
56 THE NET IN THE BAT.
From my being later in starting, ho tliouglit I
might liavo gone by Lake Superior, and should re-
turn this way. I hope, however, to meet him, en
route. Mrs. Mackenzie was here, and it was pleasing
to see the meeting of mother and son after a sepa-
ration of thirteen years. She still felt as if she
would have known him, although that length of
time must have produced a great change at his
age. I had one additional reason for surveying rJl
at Lac Seul with interest, from hearing that Mr.
Leith, I may say ' my founder and benefactor,' liad
been here for some years, before entering on his
longer period of service at Cumberland.* The men
had some idea of repairing the canoe here, as the
necessary cedar wood could be had in abundance,
indeed, immense quantities of it are stacked up for
burning ; we at Red River should esteem it too
valuable to apply it to such a purpose. When I
found that it might delay us two or three days, I
determined to proceed at once ; I discovered that
the votes were all on my side for going onwards
next morning, and passing by the height of land to
Osnaburgh.
After dinner I addressed the Indians who hap-
pened to be around the Fort, through my inter-
* I was glad to find on my return, that a large portrait
of him had arrived in safety from England. This it would
be my hope to place hereafter in a college hall or library,
should I live to build one. I feel that his memory ought
to live in the land. A legacy of Mr. Leith forms the endow-
ment of the Bishopric.
THE NET IN THE BAY. 57
preter ; they seem well disposed, and not averse to
listen to the Gospel ; they have been brou^dit very
low by want, and surely the Saviour is knocking
very impressively at the door of their hearts. May
they bo brought in, if only at the eleventh hour.
One old man who was anxious to see me had not
yet arrived ; his son spoke very nicely on his be-
half. At evening prayers, I baptized seven children
of those connected with the Fort, who had never
before had the opportunity, and afterwards united
in holy matrimony the parents of three of them.
At the time of their union, the couple had signed a
contract in presence of the officer in charge, which
was the only step in their power, and is admitted
as legal evidence in the country.
In the evening the old man arrived ; he is a sen-
sible and rather superior Indian ; he says he will
give the matter thought ; that he does not believe
that there is a poorer country on the earth — that
his countrymen go on plunging deeper and deeper
in the dark — that they grope about in vain, that
he would be glad to hear of this way, but that he
cannot leave his hunting-ground ; this, however,
would not be necessary. He is very unwilling, too,
to give up his medicinal art, which, he says, con-
sists only in the knowledge of roots, not in any-
thing of charms or conjuration. If we could be-
lieve his statement, we might be satisfied ; but it
is very difficult to separate the things entirely, and
to effect an actual divorce between the two offices,
which, in the expressiveness of the Greek tongue,
58 THE NET IN THE BAY.
are blended in a single word.* He says, that if a
minister were placed among them, they would
learn like other Indians, but not while they are
only visited from time to time, at long intervals.
The spot seems fertile, the potatoes extremely
good, much better thtin those 1 left at home. The
strawberries lie at one's feet, quite thick, ripe, and
ready for gathering, and the size of some leads me
to feel that, if cultivated, they would be much im-
proved in character and flavour. White clover is
also very abundant. There is a neat enclosed
burying -ground for Cliristians, and the Indians
have a separate spot fenced in. One grave was
pointed out to me with a deer cut out on a wooden
tablet over it ; this is the * totem ' of the Indian
interred there, the short epitaph over his tomb.
r.dy \bth. — I had been most comfortably accom-
modated in the Fort, but I awoke early, and called
the men, and we were under way before the sun
was much above the horizon. The morning was
cloudless and beautiful as the preceding day, giv-
ing token of intense heat. Had a beautiful sail
over the remainder of the lake, still studded with
islands ; a fair wind all day, which wafted us on.
The appearance of thunder increased towards even-
ing, and after an unusual run of ten hours from
breakfast-time, we rested at the Dancing Rocks,
* The lar^oftavTif, or physician-prophet. ^Esch. Eum. v.
62, and Supp. v. 278. Seo Blackie's ^Eschyhis, vol. ii. p. 329,
where he truly observes that ' in savage tribes the medicine-
man is almost invariably the priest.'
THE NET IN THE BAY. 59
just in time to avoid tho thunderstorm. \Vc could
thus imagine ourselves liaving a six o'clock dinner
at home, as we had a plentiful supply of white fish,
and a good ai)petite from the lateness of the hour.
Indeed, to tell the truth, we had met the Fort
fisherman, soon after starting in the morning, and
had possessed ourselves of tho lion's share of his
spoil ; not so bold a step either, for we knew it
would have been freely given us, had he arrived
before we left.
My only loss in tho evening, and indeed through-
out the day, was the society of my companion,
whom I had left behind. Nor had we the little
Indian craft to watch ; all seemed more solitary,
nor did we encounter a living being during the
day.
July \^th. — The thunderstorm proved more
severe than any we had yet had. It continued
uninterruptedly — the bright flash — the loud roll at
varying intervals, from seven at night until nearly
daybreak, more than eight hours. The morning
looked ominous and doubtful, and for some time
after our start, we knew not what to expect ; it
eventually cleared oft^ and was a fine day. We had
entered the channel connecting the two lakes, and
willow and marsh, with the tall rushes on either
side, gave little promise of good camping ground.
In it we soon came to two narrow falls, called after
some individual. Short's Falls, and some little way
beyond arrived at two, called by the Indians, the
Cat or Lynx Falls ; up the former of these we hauled
60 TlIK NET IN TUR BAY.
from iho iibundanco of wntor, of the latter wc made
a portage. Wo passed another at the Pancake
Jlocks, and then entered tlie narrow ten-mile creek.
It is an extraordinary pas.sage, like the most shaded
and crooked lane at home, with a little water
trickling along it. We had to keep on the look-out
and brush away the w'no^^ ; and the turns were
80 sharp, that the canot . .^8 continually brought
up. At times there was some larger wood, the
branches meeting overhead, —
' Qua pinus iriRons albiique populns
Umbram hospitalem consociaro niunnt
liamis; et oliliquo lahorat
Lympha fugax trepidare rivo.'
At other times a largo fallen tree, lying right across
the current, blocked the way and caused a little
delay. Mr. Mackenzie's boats, which had preceded
us, had in a measure opened up some of the diffi-
culties of the pass for us, but one saw how easily,
as in the days of the rival companies, a few strokes
of the axo might effectually close up the way. We
passed a little piece of water to which they had
given the significant name of All Hands Lake, be-
cause all must pass through it going that route.
We met in the narrows an Indian wMth wife and
child, he anxiously inquired whether we had seen
Indians by the way, as he had just been to his
beaver-trap, and found the spoil abstracted. We
had some portages, but small ones, and encamped
for the night when well through the pass, with a
THR NET IN THE DAY. 61
iiiyli rocky hill on the loft overhanging ua. 1 ex-
pruBsud a wish to mount it bcforo tea, in order to
Hco tho view. Two of the men roaclily gave mc
ussiHtancc, and on reaching tho top wo saw other
auinniits rising beyond ; wo did not, however, rest,
till wo had scaled the highest. From it we saw a
great extent of country, Lac Seal lying quietly
beneath. Osnaburgh Lake, to which we were
approaching, was not visible from the high interven-
ing woods. As wo descended, our own little en-
campment looked very picturesque from two or
three hundred feet above ; the little rill like a
thread, the white tent, the bright fire, and the
column of curling smoke. We heard them hallooing
to us for 8U])pcr, but we surveyed all above first, and
then made a rapid descent, leaping from rock to
rock.
The spot selected seemed an especial favourite
with the mosquitoes, and I anticipated the approach
of night with some dread. I found, however, that
my good attendant, Mackay, had given me up his
mosquito curtain, and placed it over my bedding.
Of such things I am generally too regardless, but
starting as I had now done, after the confusion of
the flood, and when living away from my own home,
the omission w^as less to be wondered at. Fortunately
however, the plague of flies was not so great this
year as in many others.
To ourselves this was no common spot, and I
was anxious that all should feel it at our evening
prayers. We had now reached the boundary
G2 THE NET IN THE BAY.
height, the margin from which tlie watnr flows in
the two directions. We had finished the ascent,
and were now to descend towards James's Bay ;
the current would now he with us, and greater
speed would mark our movements. This was
pleasurable to us, but is it so always 1 is it so in
life ] Is it a joyful thing to all, to feel that middle
life is upon them, that they have climbed the hill,
and gained the summit ; that theirs is now only the
decline, the swift and rapid current sweeping all to
the grave 1 Yet why the difference 1 Ought it
not to be a delightful thing to feel, t lat our face is
towards Zion, and our feet drawing nearer to our
eternal home?
The height of land is an object of great interest
in a country traversed in its whole extent ; it ought,
jDcrhaps, to be more regarded than it is in geogra-
phical instruction. Attention is now indeed more
drawn to physical geography, but in my earlier
days, I only remember one who kept the jjhysical
features o^ the country prominently in vie>v in
public teaching — Professor Pillans of Edinburgh,
Should these pages ever meet his eye, it may be a
pleasure to him to feel that I thought of iiis training
and its advantages, when they were forced upon
me in crossing this distant and solitary height. It
muat, doubtless, be a gratification to him in declin-
ing years, to find that the system, which he then
pursued comparatively alone, has now become
almost universal. The heights of land most im-
mediately interesting to myself are that between
THE NET IN THE BAY. 63
Red River and York, and this on the way to Albany,
the one between Red River and Lake Superior, se-
parating us from Canada, and a fourth between Red
River and the United States, where to the north
the waters flow into Hudson's Bay and to the south
into the Father of Waters, the mighty Mississippi.
Two others, of which I may know more hereafter,
are the ridge or backbone, separating the East
Main from Labrador, the boundar- between this
diocese and that of Newfoundland ; and the other at
the Great Portage, or Portage La Loche, where the
waters on the one side discharge themselves into
the Hudson Bay, on the other into the Arctic
Ocean. I speak not of the Rocky Mountains, as
forming the obvious and natural boundary between
the Atlantic and Pacific.
Our position has V ^ thus to a digrf^ssion ; but to
return to simple^' *•" ."■e. I enjoyea, after all, a
delightful night*- ^ :..c. During the afternoon the
mosquitoes had been severe to a degree with me,
and I had feared they might be still worse at night.
The effect on my head and ears was almost like
erysipelas ; all the integuments of the skin swollen
and distended ; but once in my cage, I was quite
free from attack. Towards morning it became
chilly, and on getting up I was not surprised to find
that there had been frost : the tent was quite hard
and stiffened.
July Xlth. — We left while the white frost was
still thick on the ground, and soon made our last
portage for this stage ; it was, too, our longest, very
64 TUB NET IN TUE BAY.
swampy and muddy, but not more so tliey said
than usual, and only in these respects sustained its
character and reputation. It brings you to a creek
at the upper end of Osnaburgh Lake. I had gone
on as usual to see how the other end of the portage
looked, and should certainly have gone farther than
was necessary, and walked into the reeds and rushes,
had not one of the men come up and stopped me.
It was next to impossible to discern any margin, but,
finding where we were again to take canoe, I assisted
him in lighting a fire, for the double purpose of
scaring the mosquitoes and of jDreparing breakfast.
Advanced onwards on the lake, unable to sail, as
the wind was against us. It is so far like Lac Seul,
in being dotted with islands, but is far from being
so pretty ; it is much tamer, the wood not so prettily
gi'ouped, and much burnt. Its Indian name is, I
find, Swampy Lake, its French one, Lac de Sable,
and now the English name of Osnaburgh prevails,
from what date or cause given I could not ascertain,
perhapj of the same origin as York and Albany on
the coast.
We had been rather struck at meeting so few
Indians ; towards afternoon we discerned some
canoes, ind thought it might be worth while to
paddle towards them, and were more than repaid,
as they had a good supply of ducks and dried fish,
and were glad to receive instead pemmican, ammu-
nition, and hooks. There were about five canoes
drawn up on the beach, and, perhaps, sixteen or
twenty in their tents. Some time after leaving, a
THE NET IN TUE DAY. 65
canoe followed us from among them : we pnllcd up to
allow them to overtake us, thinking we must have
left something behind. It turned out, however, to
be a young man, who begged to go with me to
Moose, and assii^u by the way. I put it to the men,
and, as they said he would })e of use, I at onco
accepted him, and he stepped into the Rose, and
began to paddle so eagerly tliat he deluged those
near him with water. A little practice, however,
soon brought him into a more measured stroke. I
thought we should have been alone on the morrow,
but this brings one Indian near us, I hope for good.
He is the brother of the Indian whom we met by
the way. We saw, during the day, the opening by
which Sir George Simpson entered the lake, when
on his way from Norway House to Moose, some
years ago. He left Lake Winnipeg by the Poplar
River, and passing through some intervening lakes,
came out where we were. His guide on the occasion
was my bowsman, Linklater : Sir George had him-
self recommended him to me for the office.
We had now obtained a nice spot for our day of
rest ; all felt how quickly the week had gone : may
the Sabbath be like its predecessors in enjoyment
to us all.
July \%ih^ Sunday. — The sun had set behind a
bank of clouds, and left us a little doubtful of the
coming weather. The morning was fine, but sus-
picious, the clouds gathering towards the south. I
took a delightful walk on the sandy beach to the
side of the rocky point where the tent was pitched
6G THE NET IN THE RAY.
— a longer stretch of walk than I conld often enjoy-
on a rocky island or a wooded landing-place. It
reminded me of many a home beach, many a sandy
shore in other lands ; it seemed peculiarly favour-
able to contemplation and quiet thought. It is
not alone the aged priest in the Iliad of whom it
may be said, Btj ^' ukewi' irapa 6~iya. In his case,
the resounding deep was in accordance with his
agitated and disturbed spirit ; but here it was the
scarcely rippling surface of the lake — the gentle
murmur of the water on the sand, in harmony with
tlie sacredness of the day.
I returned, and soon assembled all for service.
We commenced as usual in the air, but at the end
of the Psalms we had to change, and, continue it
in my tent, which was of sufficient size to contain
us all, ten in number. The thunder was now
rolling around, and the rain heavy. We proceeded,
notwithstanding, as far as the end of the second
lesson, when I thought it better to desist and have
a little break, as the voice could scarcely be heard
from the down-pour on the tent. We accordingly
sat down, and employed the little interval in sacred
music. We sang first —
* Tliougli the morn may be serene,
Not a threat'ning cloud be seen,
"Who can undertake to say
'Twill be pleasant all the day?
Tempests suddenly may rise,
Darkness overspread the skies,
Lightnings flash and thunders roar,
J&re a short-lived day be o'er.
♦ * * *
THE NET* IN THE BAY. 67
Drareat Saviour, call us sooa
To Thy high eternal noon ;
Never there shall tempests rise
To conceal Thee from our eyes ;
Satan shall no more deceive,
We no more Thy Spirit grieve,
But through cloudless, endless days,
Sound, to golden liarps, Thy praise.'
And after it, Bishop Hebcr's missionary hymn,
'From Greenland's icy mountains,'
which I had heard tlie men trying by themBelvos
tlie previous day. It had now moderated, and we
Hnished our service. Small was our cathedral to-
day, but I trust the spirit of prayer was with us.
I was struck with the Indian, wlien we knelt down
after tlie Creed, falling at once into the same post\ire.
Even though an unconscious worshipper, I wished
him to be present, hoping for a blessing from the
apostle's words, 1 Cor. xiv. 25, but I had given liim
no direction as to his behaviour. May those words
have their fulfilment in him ! I lectured on David's
character, coupling the two views of the first lesson
of last Sunday evening and this morning, David's
conquest of Goliath, and David overcome by sin ;
victorious over the Philistine, and convicted by the
message of Natlum.
We then broke up, the rain having almost ceased.
During the service itself, one could not but feel the
force of the petition in the Litany, 'From lightning
and tempest, good Lord, deliver us,' which we oifennl
while the thunder was still playing around us. An
«)8 THE NET IN THE BAY.
hour had scarcely passed ore all appearance of the
storm had vanished, and I went again to my beach,
where, lying down on the sand, I read with great
pleasure the little work of a dear friend and pupil,
the Kev. J. M. Randall,* entitled, 'Jehovah, the
Portion of His People.' Often had we rambled to-
gether on the sea-shore at home, and now these
beautiful sermons from his pen were refreshing to
me here — they were the words of a friend, though
not from his lips.
In the evening I continued our subject, and con-
templated David as a penitent believer — a growing
saint — and upon his death-bed, from 2 Sam. xxiii.
1-5. There was now ' the clear shining after rain,'
which the text so beautifully describes, and we held,
therefore, our evening service in the open air.
Jail) 19^/i. — Started early to reach Osnaburgh
House. The clouds were thick and heavy, but as the
sun rose all were gradually wrapt up, and, on leaving
our breakfast encampment, the heat was intense.
We had there a noble island of firs, and in roaming
among them I gazed with admiration on the mag-
nificent aisles and naves formed by them. I could
not but think that some combinations of them might
form a noble cathedral, had I them and the rich
cedar-wood near me at the lied River. Doubtless
they must have given the first ideas of what art has
constructed for the worship of God.
We arrived at Osnaburgh House about one o'clock,
* Formerly Ciu'nte of Lowestoft, and now Vicar of Lang-
ham-Bishops, Norfolk.
THE NET IN THE BAY. 09
and were received by Mr. M'Pherson, who was in
charge of tlie Fort. It is on a sandy point (Point
de Sable, tlie Canadians might well call it), with
some neat buildings and pickets round, and a small
burying-ground fenced off. I asked to see his
family, and inquired whether all had been baptized.
He said he wished his youngest child to be baptized,
and would prefer it now rather than on my return,
as the little fellow had often such severe bleedings
at the nose as to fill them with apprehension for his
life. This is not unusual from the extreme heat of
the summer ; on the hotter days some of my own
men were affected by it two or three times a-day.
I performed the baptism, and also married Mr.
M'Pherson to his wife ; they had never had the
opportunity, and, as the only substitute, they had
signed the usual contract. His elder children, by a
former wife, had been baptized, I think, by Mr.
jiarnly, the Wesleyan minister, formerly at Moose.
I felt very mucli in kneeling down with them and
joining with them in prayer, and in hearing after-
wards from Mr. M'Pherson the account of his
desolate position. They never, he said, saw any one
to speak to them of the Word of God ; for his children
there was no opportunity of education, nor did his
means admit of his sending them away from iiim to
be brought up. The number of Indians connected
with the Fort he stated to be sixty or seventy, per-
haps fifty families — as many as eighty, he thought,
at Lac Seul, taking debt (as they term it) or advances
on their hunting trip. Of the tribe of Cranes he
70 THE NET IN THE IJAT,
'^liVQ a favouniblo account, as anxious for a better
way, and not unlikely to bo brought in if approached.
Some of his own men, ^ho were anxious for baptism
for their children, were absent, nearly all his hands
being off with the boats. He was himself engaged
with those who remained in rebuilding a large store ;
the heat of the sun beating upon them had been so
intense all the morning, that the young men had
every now and then rushed into the water to cool
themselves. I gave hopes of staying a little longer
1)11 my return, making it, if 1 could so an-ange, my
j'osting-place for the night, as one could not but feel
an eniotion of ])ity on seeing the family, who were
tndy like sheep, not having a shepherd.
We were anxious to get on our wiiy, and nui at
least one rapid ; so we started soon lifter tw(»
o'clock. We were now entering on the most ex-
citing and stirring part of our journey, to which wo
had been looking forward all the way as wo toiled
up hill. We soon camo to one fall called Hugh's
l*'all. There wero many smaller rapids, along
wliich we were carried swiftly watli the stream.
At the fall itself we made a portage, and I walked
over with two of my lighter packages. 1 had just
diverged from the pathway to see the fall, when
• iown shot the canoe into the very basin of the fall,
as if sure to be engulfed. All depended on good
steering. The men at the bow and stern, and two
strong paddlers, were all that remained in : on they
went, dipi)ing and then rising on the breakers —
at times hidden from the sight, and then reappear-
THE NKT IN TIIK DAY. 71
ing, yot all the wliilo dcxtcrouHly avoidiiiL? the
rocks, where one false Htroke nii^'ht havjc (laHlird
the canoe to i)ieces ; and they were safe at the
other end h)nanying the message] Take the
Indians around this spot before they had overheard
of a Saviour, and take them now, — has there not
been some effusion of the Spirit 1 lleflect on the
privileges which you have enjoyed in times past —
was tiiero not some gift of tho Sj)irit 1 Thus have
many of you been partakers of some spiritual gifts,
but you desire them to be pennant '^. continued on
this spot to yourselves and your cluldren. How
shall this be? For this have I especially come, and,
us I journeyed along the many hundred miles, I
have prayed that God might bless me and make mo
a blessing ; I have made request * if by any means I
might have a prosperous journey to come unto you.'
1 have longed above measure ' to see you, that
1 might impart unto you some si)iritual gift.' Nov.',
remembering that God is the only author of all these
gifts, let us examine a little in detail what gifts we
may humbly expect.
1. Is there no spiritual gift, if I may leave him
who has laboured efficiently, diligently, and suc-
cessfully among you in a subordinate capacity, in-
vested with full authority as an ambassador of
TUK NET IN THK DAY. 127
Christ, to oxccuto every part of liis lii{,'h office, and
to go forth to gather in the scattored bhcep of the
Lord ]
2. Ih there to the eye of faith no spiritual gift in
being permitted to i)hicc your little ones as in the
very arms of the Saviour ; to hear His gracious
words of irvitation ; to dedicate, as I hope, twenty-
five of them this afternoon to His blessed service,
and many more during the present week?
I). Is there no spiritual gift to be looked for when
the young, just entering upon life, are brought be-
fore us to renew, in their own persons, the i)romise
and vow made for them — in helpless infancy? My
happiest hours, ministerially, have been spent in
preparing such, and now how great the pleasure of
admitting those duly prepared to the holy rite !
4. Is there no spiritual gift to be hoped for in
partaking once more of the Supper of the Lord, a
privilege from which you have been long debarred,
but to which wo would again invite you, ere wo
leave 1
But you say, all partake of these good gifts.
Yes, brethren, our offices are diffi3rent, but our
graces are the same, and this brings me to notice —
III. The fruits of ministerial diligence.
Mutual comfort. The joy of the minister and
the joy of the people : * My joy is the joy of you all.'
Such the unvarying language of the apostle who, in
the text, places himself with the Church at Home,
as if deriving a fresh joy from their joy. Nor is
128 THE NET IX THE BAT.
the case otherwise now. Is not our joy yours, and
yours ours 1
Behold the infant brought to the Saviour, and
notice the parent's eye. Is there no emotion of
thankfulness, as He prays that the child may not
only be washed with water, but with the Spirit —
that it may be registered, not only on earth, but in
the Lamb's book of life above '?
Behold the minister in private, by the sick bed,
or in the family household. Is there no comfort
diffused as he kneels by you and prays with you 1
Is not his joy increased by being instrumental in
furthering yours?
Behold the minister noticing and training your
children, expending upon them daily care and
labour, and then, as they grow up, endeavouring to
lead them to declare themselves on the Lord's side.
Is there no rich comfort felt by you in thinking
of your little ones, and tracing for them a brighter
path than your own 1
Behold, again, the minister with one to whom his
words had been blessed. What joy to the convert
who could say, ' I was dead, but am alive again ! '
What joy to the minister who can look upon him
and say, ' Thou owest unto me even thine own self
besides ! ' This is comfort. Imagine it, then, not
over one, but over many.
Behold one in death. What comfort can equal
that of the soul departing in peace, closing a life of
faith by a calm and triumphant death ! What
joy to the minister to behold in that hour the
THE NET IN THE BAY. 129
fruit of all his labours ! — to see one more scaled, as
he trusts, with the seal of the Lamb, falling asleep
in Jesus !
In conclusion, the apostle had never seen Rome
when he wrote these words. Imagine, then, his
feelings, when permitted to visit it, and see face to
face those for whose salvation he longed. Some-
thing of the kind is my joy. The desires which I
have long cherished are fulfilled, and the sight of
what I here behold more than repays me for every
toil.
But, to chasten what might be the exuberance of
present feeling, let us remember what is the record
of the effect of apostolic preaching. When the
Gospel was proclaimed at Rome by the lips of an
apostle, and with the extraordinary gifts of the
Spirit, we still find it said, in the closing chapter of
the Acts, that ' Some believed the things which
were spoken, and some believed not.'
Let this solemn view lead us to more fervent and
earnest prayer that many souls may here be gathered
into the Gospel net — that all so gathered in may be
accepted at the last great day, to the praise and
glory of God !
In the afternoon I held the second Indian service
at which the baptisms were to take place, Mr. Miles
having kindly erected for us a temporary font. AVe
had the ' Ne gah wunnishkan— I will arise,' sung
sweetly ; the Prayers, as before ; the Psalms, with
the Gloria Patri, sung in their own tongue. The
K
130 THE NET IN THE BAT.
opening prayers of the baptismal service were then
offered up, after which they assembled round the
font. In their case I accepted the parents as spon-
sors, and Mr. and Mrs. Horden on the part of the
Church. I had at first expressed a desire for both
parents to come up ; but it was found impossible,
as twenty-five children were to be baptized, and
the mothers alone far more than filled the space.
The church was even fuller than in the morning :
there could not have been less than one hundred
and fifty. The heat was very great, almost more
than one could support.
I read, through an interpreter, the appointed
passage (Mark, x.), and proposed the questions in
something of a shorter form. When these were
answered, I proceeded to baptize the children.
Some were only inftints, and were taken in my
arms, and baptized in their sleep ; some were two
or three, others as much as five or six years of age,
and with them there was more difficulty, as they
clung to their mothers. I did not think it neces-
sary, at the expense of a loud cry, to insist on
taking them up one by one, so I baptized the elder
ones as they stood. As it was, their voices were at
times heard, for this was an unusual trial for the
shyness of an Indian child ; but one's thoughts
were too much absorbed with the interest of the
service to mind the almost inevitable noise. I
repeated the words, ' I baptize thee,' and also, ' We
receive this child,' in Indian, having committed the
words to memory. I know not that I ever baptized
THE NET IN THE BAY. 13i
SO many at once — certainly never with greatei-
pleasure. We then sang a hymn ; after whicli I
.said a few words (Pro v. viii. 17), 'I love them that
love me, and those that seek me early shall find
mc' — on the Redeemer's love for such little ones
exceeding that of the parent's fondest affection, and
on the omparative easiness of the way to hea\en
if entered upon early. I closed with the Collects,
' Lighten our darkness,' and that of St. Chrysostom,
in Indian, and pronounced the Blessing.
On coming out, we found them all resting on tiit-
grass, or standing about the church ; and on asking
Mr. Horden if this were usual, he said that he waw
in the habit of speaking to them individually, and
shaking them by the hand, after service. I. said I
would gladly conform to so good a custom, althougli
he warned me that I should find it more laborious
from the increased numbers. I persevered for a
time, but was obliged to cut it somewhat short,
selecting at times the heads of a family.
The view was very pretty as we passed homewards
along the terrace : there was the schooner with her
colours flying, and the flag of the Hudson's Bay
Company at the top of the Fort flagstaff; on tlie
church, too, the red-cross flag of England, whicli
Mr. Miles had placed there in honour of my arrival,
and which was kept up during my stay. There
were also the Indian tents on the sloping bank, and
my own white tent for the men near the flag-staff.
Added to all this were the worshippers returning
from the house of God in neat apparel. The good
132 THE NET IN THE BAY.
clothing of the Indians hero rather astonished me,
but I am aware that at this season they appear to
the best advantage, having just received payment
for the furs brought in, or having taken some
advance on the coming winter hunt. The women
here invariably wear the long cap or hood, falling
over their shoulders and ricldy ornamented with
beads ; while the men have, generally, a good
capote and embroidered leggings.
The family prayers at the Fort closed the happy
day, and left me nothing to desire.
August dth. — Arose much refreshed by the day of
God, and all its privileges. How much we might
(^esire the arrival of the ship this week ! But the
whole is in better hands than our own.
I was rejoiced to find that they had thought of
me, along the other route by way of Lake Superior,
and that several, especially Mr. Swanston, chief
trader at Michipicoton, had felt disappointed that I
had not gone that way. Had I to do it over again,
[ think I might go by tbe one route and return by
the other ; but now I am under promise to return
by the way I came. Even, however, had I gone by
Lake Superior, I could scarcely have done all that
might have been expected, as it would have taken
me out of my own diocese, and I could only have
visited as a stranger, or performed any occasional
service with the permission of the Bishop of Toronto.
Michipicoton, though a Company's fort, does not fall
within my jurisdiction, which terminates on this
side of Fort William at the height of land. In this
THE NET IN THE BAY. 1 3.'i
respect I feel that my knowledge of geography ex-
pands much with this tour, indeed the relative
position of these lakes and rivers only gradually
dawns upon one, and requires actual survey of the
land to become iiupresscd upon the mind.
I saw several of the candidates for confirmation
connected with the European population ; visited
and prayed with some of the aged who had offered
themselves, some of whom had been communicants
before for many years, but were willing to give this
token of their desire to be in full communion with
us. The children, grandchildren, and other re-
latives of some here, I had confirmed at Red
River ; and thus each visit to a fresh spot multiplies
the links, which connect one in thought and feeling
with the country as a whole, of which Red River is
the undoubted centre.
I had given notice that I should see the Indian
candidates, as I had done at Cumberland ; this
took place in Mr. Horden's house in the evening,
where I saw them in little groups. There were the
chief and his wife, Oolikichish, who disclaimed all
favour as chief; very shrewd and intelligent, and
eloquent in the expression of his thoughts. I asked
him to repeat the Creed and Lord's Prayer, and
then examined him on the Catechism which Mr.
Horden had prepared, putting the questions out of
their direct order, to make sure that it was not
learned by rote. I asked him about the soul and
body, the effect of death, the ground of his own
hope in death, whether he felt afraid of death, whe-
[M THE NET IN TOE BAY.
tlier he felt anxious to receive the Lord's Supper.
After he had answered all, he suddenly put the
(jucstion, whether I was going to remove Mr.
FT(M'den, and was satisfied by my saying, that he
sliould remain for the present. He then told me,
as they had done at Albany, that Mr. Horden spoke
Indian well.
We had many others, in all upwards of twenty,
many of them cases of deep interest, for seeing
them thus they spoke pretty freely of their condi-
tion. I asked most of them what they prayed for,
•what they blessed God for, whether they prayed
eac'Ji night and morning. Of this I had sat^isfactqry
proof on my way home, as we heard one piTiying in
an audible voice with his family in the tent. The
whole examination was conducted without an inter-
preter, Mr. Horden being able to do all. This is
his best praise — this his best testimonial for holy
orders, he has their hearts and affections, and their
eves turn to him at once. He tells me that he'
commenced by copying out long conversations,
taken down in their tents ; of these he obtained
the interpretation, and placed it interlineally ; long
prayers, in the same way, as offered up by the
("Jhristian Indians, he copied oat, and this he says
is the secret of his rapid acquisition of the language.
I found from him that the subject of the chief's
prayer yesterday was, blessing God that they at
length saw me, and praying that God would bless
myself and Mr. Horden throughout the day in
teaching them ; that they wished their children
THE NET IN THE DAY. 135
taught, but did not know fully liow to teach
them.
The result of the evening was very cheering ; T
am convinced that they use intercessory prayer,
und that their conscience is very sensitive and
tender. Many other cases might be specified, as
Jacob Sailor and Isaac Hardisty my guide, both
well instructed and promising ; and many of the
females are as well informed as the males.
August \Qt1i, — Finished the First Ei)istlo to Ti-
mothy with Mr. Hordcn, and fixed to-moiTow for
the commencement of his examination for orders.
The schooner went down to-dav to take up her
position, and watch for the ship, which cannot come
in within some distance of the Fort. Should the
Prince Albert arrive this week, how fortunate to
human eye would it be !
It was interesting to me to hear much from day
to day from Mr. Miles of INIr. West, and the earlier
days of the Red River Mission. He had been with
him at the Red River in 1822, was with him at
York when he started to walk to Churchill, and
went home with him in 1823. Mrs. Miles's sister,
too, now with us, Mrs. Spencer, interpreted for Mr.
West, when he obtained the son of Withewekahpo
(now James Hope) from his mother.
In the evening, I saw Mr. Horden's class of young
men connected with the factory ; for their benefit
he gives up every Tuesday evening, and .eaches
them to read and write, besides carrying on their
136 THE NET IN THE BAY.
liiblo instruction. I examined such of them as wero
candidates for confirmation.
Auf/mtllth. — Commenced Mr. ITordcn's exami-
nation with a paper on the Articles in tlie morning,
and one on Old lY>stanient History in the afternoon.
While he was thus occujiied, I wrote many letters,
I feel ashamed to tliink, how many petitions were
contained in these letters, how much a colonial
bishop has to beg for from fi'iends and from jmblic
societies. May all kindly excuse it as done for
others ; and for my people's sake, I scruple not to
do so. Here I* think of so many things which 1
niiirht do for their comfort if I were at home at Red
River, but which T have not with me, and which I
could never send across. Not wishing that they
should be behind in any advantage or privilege, I
am bold to ask for the diversion of some of the rills
of Christian charity in the direction of Moose, that
those, whom I love much in the Lord, may shave
also in the kindness of Christian friends.
After the close of his second paper, we again exa-
mined some of the candidates for confirmation, a
large class of younger Indians. I heard them
repeat the whole of Mr. Horden's catechism, and
was much gratified, especially with two young boys
and one young woman. The little child of an In-
dian died this afternoon, a case of gradual decline
of the system, but the poor father and mother came
and were present among our little group. I think
they feel with comfort that their little child is with
THE NET IN THE BAY. 137
God, and look forward to seeing it again at a future
day.
August \1ch. — Examination continued; paper on
evidences, and on New Testament History. In the
forenoon, the burial of the httle child took place.
We assembled in church, and had a short service,
with a hymn, bearing on the Resurrection. After
this I walked from the church, followed by the
moiu'ners, to the Indian graveyard ; here, through
the interpreter, we had tiiosc touching sentences,
* Man that is born, &c.' and God's own declaration,
* Write from henceforth, &c.' I spoke a few words
by the open grave, saying th.'it I was thankful that
it was a child I had first to inter among them, and
that the child of an Indian, as to them especially I
was sent : the child too of baptized parents, who
ought not therefore to sorrow as those without
hope. I then spoke of our state, laden with many
sins, yet enabled to look for pardon through a
Saviour's blood, and to anticipate a joyful eternity
above ; that our safety now^ is to be in spirit and
disposition like little children, that, as regards
heaven and eternity, we are all but babes. may
the grave find us all ready, when the earth is
opened for us as for this little one !
I shook hands with the mourning parents as I left,
and said a few words of comfort to them, Mrs.
Miles, who was by my side, interpreting. There
was a subdued stillness of voice and tread, as all
returned along the pathway from the little grave-
yard. I was grieved to find that there were two
138 THE NET IN THE BAT.
separate burying-gT'oniulH, but tliis is universal fit
all the outposts, originating in the distinction be-
tween the heathen Indians and the European popu-
lation. Tlie separation will, I hope, not long exist
hero : if, as we may expect, a stone church be built
to accommodate the increasing (Hiristian popula-
tion, the churchyard would then l)o common to all
professing believers ; in it there would be no dis-
tinction, ' neither Greek nor Jew, Barbarian, Scy-
thian, bond nor free, but Christ all and in all.'
That such may be the case, is evident from the
answer to my question — wliere they buried the
heathen Indians ? the reply was we have not any
such. The rites of superstition, the drum of the
conjuror, have now left this spot, and are no longer
heard. that it might be so all over the land ere
long ! I find there is no open defiance of God's
word among the Indians, not one who refuses to
worship and conform outwardly : all will be bap-
tized Christians when I leave, and many, I trust,
sincere and lowly believers, adorning the doctrine
of their Saviour, and when absent at the hunt and
chase, longing to return, and hear God's word.
In the evening a large party again for examina-
tion, upwards of forty, not so striking a number,
but some pleasing cases among them. I purposely
asked one of them, what he did on the Sabbath
when out hunting ; he said he rested and sung some
hymns, and prayed by himself. On his truthful-
ness I could perfectly rely.
It was a beautiful wind for the Prince Albert, if
THE NET IN TUE BAY. 139
Bhc is only clear of the ico. When walking along
the l)ank the wind blew the smell of the hay to-
wards us : it is brought up from the marsh, cut in
salt water there, and is then spread out in the
larijre field between the Fort and church. To see
the Inditins tossing and cocking it, transported one
(luite to an English meadow. This gives employ-
ment to a large number ; the cattle fed upon this
hay, when taken to the interior, where the hay is
different, are found to droop and pine at once.
Aiir/ust \?>th. — Finished the examination of Mr,
Horden, with a paper on Church History, and a
sermon to prepare in my presence. The result of all
was very creditable to him, seeing he was taken
in some measure off his guard and unprepared, ex-
pecting to go back with mo to Eed River and read
with me there. I feel therefore fully justified in
carrying forward his ordination. It is a great
satisfaction to mo to think of leaving him here. He
is as yet quite in youth, only just of age for priest's
orders. What a delightful prospect, a life to give
to God, with full energy and devotedness of heart !
It was a relief both to Mr. Horden and myself, to
have closed the examination before the arrival of
the ship, as it will leave more time for the arrange-
ment of other matters during my stay. The papers
are all put aside, and left to be examined by Mr.
Watkins, for the satisfaction of his own mind, as
he must act as chaplain to present.
One advantage certainly Mr. Horden possesses,
and which it seems only an act of justice to others
140 THE NET IN TUE DAY.
to luciition, that ho hu8 more time for study and
self-improvement than any of our (»ther miHsionary
clergy. Tlie Heculur cares, which weigh down all
at the Red River and tlie other out stations, do not
affect those who may lal)()ur on this Bay or at York.
The Indian has bis employment from tiio Hudson's
Bay Comj)any, and tlierefore does not re([uiro to be
dire(!ted and guided in the matters of daily life ; ho
is not dependent on the minister. In this way Mr.
Horden has had a measure of leisure to give to the
education of tlioso around liim, and to the acquisi-
tion of the language for whicii others have longed
in vain. Where the missionary has not only to
farm himself, for the support of his family and
school, but to assist his people, and teach them to
raise crops — not only to make his own fall fishing,
but to stir up his improvident people to lay in a
sufficient stock, that they may not have to wander
off in quest of food — this leaves scarcely time or
spirits for laborious study.
How varied too are the links which bind together
God's church and people ! The more I travel abroad,
the more I feel convinced, that between almost any
two individuals meeting as strangers, there is some
link, if they could but discover it. Intercourse
with Mr. Horden and the necessary investigation
into his past life and history brought out much of
interest. I heard much of the Bishop of Frederic-
ton : both Mr. and Mrs. Horden had been members
of his congregation, when at St. Thomas, Exeter,
and spoke much of his labours there as a parochial
TUE NET IN Tin: DAT. 141
minister. T hoard much too of his pcrsoiml trials
and afflictions before leaving England, and many
points of resemblance presented themselves to my
own condition. I read in manuscript the outline of
his beautiful sermon on the sympatiiy subsisting be-
tween tlie scattered members of the church of
Christ, the first preached by his Lordsliipon revisit
ing England, and taken down from memory by Mr
llorden at the time. This brought n)e, in a manner,
into close contact with one engaged like myself,
and was a matter t»f no small interest to one phiced
as a colonial bisliop, yet labouring alone, cut off'
from all liis brethren. But even moi*e singularly, I
found tliat Mr. llorden had, at a later period, been
nuich connected with an attached i)upil of my own,
the Rev. W. Hawker, of Ciiarles Ciiapel, Plymouth,
called early to his rest. I had heard of his death
since leaving I*]ngland, but now first learnt some
l)articulars regarding it — his gradual weakness and
his closing sermons. This revived many old re-
collections, especially of hours of pleasure devoted
to sacred music, in which all who knew him must
remember his delicacy of taste and touch.
In the evening some more candidates examined ;
on this occasion many more ripened Christians
among the older people, — which increased my con-
viction of the depth of the work. I held a long con-
versation with an Indian from Rupert's House, who
could speak English, and expressed his sorrow that
I was not going on, but seemed pleased wdien I
promised that a clergyman should visit it this
142 THE NET IN THE BAY.
autumn. With another from Fort George, I con-
versed much about that place, having some thought
of appointing the clergyman coming out to that
sphere. I made inquiries about the number and
character of the Esquimaux trading there ; ho says
they are ' mechet ' — many, and apparently a happy
contented people. They seemed to dwell chiefly
near the Little and Great Whale Rivers : if so, the
intercourse with them would be easily opened.
A warm day throughout, the thermometer at 84°.
August \ith. — Preparing for the services of the
morrow, loeking over the translation ox the Confirm-
ation Service.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Wilson arrived from
Albany in canoe, having been sent to join her hus-
band here, who is ordered off to Temiscamingue
district. How diff'erent her passage from our own ;
she had been six days, while w^e were only one and
a half. They have, however, often been ten or
twelve days accomplishing this short distance, wind-
bound at some point or other. Mrs. W. had her
three little babes ; how trying the passage under
such circumstances ! One would almost have
wished to made the exchange, and given up to them
our fairer passage. Three Indian canoes arrived
also from the other direction, from Abbitibbe, in
the interior, bringing the produce of their hunt,
having been delayed in doing so by sickness.
In the evening, as often during my stay, we en-
joyed some sacred music. Many of the gentlemen
in the service are musical, beguiling their solitary
THE NET IN THE BAY. 143
hours with some instrument or other, and, when
meeting in the summer, enjoy playing together.
1 discovered accidentally that this had been stopped
afto^ my arrival, out of feelings of respect, and in
the uncertainty whether I might like it. Seme
hint of my fondness for music whicli dro2)2)ed from
me, brought this to light, and afterwards, when not
with Indians, we had our evening 2:)ractising. ~)r.
Long, late of Montreal, the medical officer, had a
very good selection of sacred music, from wdiich we
tried over many old favourites, aided often by his
voice and instrument. On such occasions my men
assisted, while our young friends at the Fort
furnished some sweet trebles. Tims much of the
happiness of life depends on turning to account the
varied gifts of all, and the whole body grows by
' that which every joint supplieth.'
I have now given uj) all hopes of the arrival of
the ship before another week, although, in Mr.
Horden's case last year, it was twelve o'clock on
Saturday night when their guns were fired at their
first anchorage. At all events it will be too late for
any to land, so that I could not proceed with the
Ordination to-morrow, and I could now rather wish
that it might be delayed until Monday morning
to give us a quiet day of rest. The ' Si Quis ' had
been read the previous Sunday, that the Ordina-
tion might take place as soon as possible after the
arrival of the ship, as the fear of early winter (which
it will be seen was not groundless) had made all
urge that my return should not be delayed a day
144 THE NET IN THE BAY.
longer than was necessary to accomplish the objects
for which I came.
August 15th. — Arose betimes for the early seven
o'clock service. Tt was a sharp morning, my first
intelliaration for
heaven ; that the}'' should have frequent periods for
meditation ; that they should be cautious in select-
ing friends ; bold in the confession of Christ ; that
THE NET IN THE BAY. 147
they should endeavour to find out their besetting
sin, and pray against it ; and, after due and special
preparation, be diligent in frequenting the table of
the Lord.
During the service, I gave notice of the Ordina-
tion and Sacrament for the following Sunday. 1
could thus look forward to having in the adminis-
tration of the latter the assistance of my two young
friends.
A short interval, and the Indian service com-
menced soon after three o'clock. Before the time
the church was densely crowded, seats and aisles,
tlie males chiefly on one side, the females on the
other. We had singing, and the service to the
Psalms ; I then requested Mr. Horden to put some
of the questions in the Confirmation Catechism, to
which tliey replied. I then very shortly explained
to them what they were about to do, begging them
to think of it solemnly as in God's sight, and then
asked them to a^jproach ; they drew near very
quietly and devotionally, and knelt down, twelve
each time. I laid my hands on two at a time,
using the plural form, and having committed the
Indian words to memory, I could use them with
closed eyes as I passed around, to prevent distrac-
tion of thought. It was the fourth time I liad used
the Indian words in confirming, and yet on three
occasions the words have been different, but the
pleasure has been great in all. Eight times tlie
communion rails were filled, a nintli time partially,
105 in all, making 128 this day; the largest
148 THE NET IN THE BAY.
number I had ever confirmed in one day, except
at St. Andrew's church, Red River.* I afterwards
addressed them shortly, speaking especially of the
beauty of their three expressions, on which I ex-
horted them often to meditate : —
Melwachemoowin, the good tidings.
Salikeliewawin, love.
Kahkega-pematisseAvin, eternal life.
In speaking to them I frequently stopped, and
put what I had to say in the form of a question,
and said, * Now answer,' when the old chief an-
swered fully and well. Such questions are, I am
siu'e, of use for a people of this description : they
are common in South India in native congrega-
tions, and are found beneficial, leading to growth
in knowledge, and preventing the tendency U)
drowsiness. There are many young men here of
great promise, who seem anxious about the one
tiling needful ; their eye is fixed on Mr. Horden
when he reads or speaks to them ; their souls are,
I think, stirred up, and I trust they are giving
their youth to God. They are to appearance like
the young man, whom Jesus beholding loved. And
many young women, too, of no less promise, who
answer beautifully, and whose manners one might
almost call refined and engaging. For them the
kindness of Mrs. Miles had done much, as well as
latterly the attention of Mrs. Horden to their best
* Two from the Fort, unable to be present in the morn-
ing, were confirmed on a subsequent occasion, making the
total number confirmed at Moose, J30.
THE NET IN THE BAY. 149
interests. Their beaded cap was left behind in
coming up, and they drew near Avith uncovered
head ; this I prefer myself in the case of the In-
dian, to any kind of white cap, to which they are
unaccustomed, and which would not generally suit
them.
So closed the public services of our Confirmation
Sabbath ; never did I feel more interested in those
brought before me. They waited, as usual, on the
bank to say good evening : this we said to more
than half, but the numbers being so large, we were
then obliged to content ourselves with a general
farewell. Later in the evening I strolled along the
bank to the lower wood, to satisfy myself that all
was quiet : all was still and had a Sabbath air, and
from many of their tents I heard the hynui of
praise ascending. After our evening family prayers
in the upper hall of the fort, I felt quite fresh at
the end of the day, only humbled in the retrospect
of the day's mercies. let not the unworthiness
of the instrument stay the descent of the good
Spirit ! May the 128 be at the last partakers of
the joy that remaineth for God's people. It was a
heavenly day ; may the savour of it be diffused
through the week.
August IQth. — The wind still in the south; no
hope, therefore, of the ship landing her passengers.
Soon after ten o'clock, however, the letters were
brought ashore. The greater part of my own have
of course gone to the Red River, but a few were
addressed to me here, in the expectation of finding
150 TFIK NKT I\ TUK HAY.
mo. The only jniinfiil intelligence was concerning
the Rev. R. Jiimcs, who, iit tlie eleventh hour, had
been forbidden by his medical advisers to return to
Ins work this year. This gives mo much more
anxious thought, and M'ill give mo more to do
through the winter, in supplying the duty to a
largo and important parish. I was glad to find
that another laboiu'cr for this eastern quarter had
really arrived. [ had a kind note from the Rev.
Vj. a. Watkins, reporting himself and Mrs. Watkins
in good health.
One circumstance may bo here inserted, which 1
omitted to mention, in order not to break the con-
tinuity of the record of our Sunday services. The
Confirmations naturally led me to revert to my
own, and I accidentally mentioned, in conversation,
that I was confirmed by the late Tjishop Sandford,
in Edinburgh. The name caught the ear of one
f)rosent, who said his father had been a pu])il of
the bishojys, and on inquiry it could not have
boon long before. Mr. Fortescue had only reached
Moose a few weeks before myself, and had pre-
sented to me a letter of introduction from Major
Straith, the active secretary of the Church Mis-
sionary Society. He had come out, as all do, un-
certain where he might bo fixed : but for the happy
coincidence of his appointment to Moose, and my
visiting it, he might have been years in the coun-
try without meeting me ; as one packet, intrusted
in this way to one in the service, to be delivered to
me J was carried to Vancouvei', and found its way
THE NET IN THE BAY. 151
to mo from llicucc. I was glad when my young
friend came to me during the week, to speak to mo
regarding the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and
told mo he had been a communicant for two years
before leaving liome.
August 17 f/i. — Wind still adverse and strong.
Threatening of rain and thunder ; the former did
fjill in lieavy showers, the latter kept off, though
there was extreme sultriness all day. The wind
falling at night, ^Ir. Horden planned to go off in
the morning, and bring Mr. and Mrs. Watkins
ashore. I was occupied through the day in perus-
ing the accounts from home, and newspapers-
How great the difference ; the activity of thought
and mind, the extreme energy, which is the mark
of the age in Britain, compared with tlie stillness
and quiet of life in this country. May it tend to
keep us nearer to God, in closer communion with
Him.
Among the Abbitibbe Indians it appears that
several ai-e inquirers, who have petitioned for in-
struction from Mr. Horden. I'hese he saw for a
long time during the day, and explained to them as
fully as he could the plan of salvation. Such,
indeed, is now generally the case ; any Indians
from a distance, when here, are led to inquire
about the truth ; they feel as if rebuked by the
sight of Christian Indians, and wish to cast in their
lot with them. This they do, even with some of
the practices of heathenism still cleaving to them.
There was one case among these of a man with two
152 THE NET IN THE BAY.
wives, sisters, but when remonstrated with, and
told that this was an entire barrier in the way of
his reception of Christianity, he was immediately
willing to give up one. For the one so discarded
we must feel nuich, but she will not be lost sight
of, for in such cases it almost becomes a Christian
duty to sec that she is in some way provided
for and settled. Now, even supposing some of them
to go back, and prove insincere or unsteady, yet
if others go hence and carry the leaven of Divine
truth, how raj)idly might it spread and penetrate
the land !
In the afternoon I took the weekly lecture : my
subject was Isaiah, xii. 3, ' With joy shall ye draw
water from the wells of salvation,' making it a
preparatory lectiu'c for the approaching communion.
I enjoyed it much.
August \%th. — Mr. Horden had started, I found,
soon after daylight, to go off to the ship. Some of
my men accompanied him as a crew, with a guide
from the factory. To those from Red River, the
sight of a ship was so great a novelty, that they
wondered that I was not equally anxious to see it.
In the morning I taught the inquiring Indians,
at Mr. Horden's request. I first thought them
entirely ignorant, but I gradually extracted more
from them. When the book was drawn from the
breast, I got them to repeat the alphabet, or rather,
I should say, their syllabic sounds ; then words of
two syllables, then the trisyllables and longer
words. The husband assisted the wife, the Moose
THE NET IN THE BAY. 153
Indian the one from Al)l)itil)l)o. Of dacivd truth I
found that they know tho elements, and wore
anxious to know much more. It ended in my
feehng affectionately to one and all of them ; with
instruction each day their baptism miglit be thonglit
of for next Sunday, and their little ones might then
be given to the Saviour. It was a new thing to me
to teach the alphabet — a thing which I never could
manage, fond as I am of teaching after a child can
read, and has made some definite pi-ogress. In tins
case, not being sure of the ground myself, I had to
do it the more carefully, lest the'y should get before
me, but by watching I could follow each sound,
while by dodging them up and down, I gave them
the idea that I knew more than was really the case.
In the afternoon we were pleased to find that tho
Prince Albert was a])proacliing, and dinner was
scarcely ovei-, when the guns were fired. The salute
was returned from the Fort. The ship then took
up her anchorage eight or nine miles off, and from
that the schooner brought off Mr. and Mrs. Watkins.
It had been blowing so fresh since morning, that we
were not surprised to find that Mr. Horden and
party were not with them. They had reached the
ship sands, but no farther. Singularly enough,
we were, therefore, the first to welcome our new
comers.
After the introductions and salutations were over,
I paced the terrace for some time with Mr. Watkins,
on the look out for Mr. Horden. I took him to
visit Adam and Eve, two of the oldest Indians of
154 THE NET IN THE DAY.
the pliioo ; alHO to soo Jacob ai:d Rachel Sailor in
thoir tent. Spoke to Jacol), and asked him for Iiih
hook, to show Mr. Watkins, when he produced some
beautiful copies of tlie Fiord'H Prayer. On my
a.skin*,' wliether they were his own doinjjj, lie pointed
evidently with an air of satisfaction ♦^o his wife,
saying, 'Wela.' I then understood tiiat they were
for me, some copies wliieh 1 iiiid re([uested lier to
make for some dear friends at liomo.
Soon after ^Ir. lloi'den and my men arrived, and
very glad were wo to welcome them on terra firmd.
Wo woro not a little amused at tho tale of their ad-
venture. While waiting for tho tide, some had
landed on the sands, and were rand)ling in quest
of fruit; tho others, meanwhile, had fallen asleep in
the boat, and drifted off to sea. When aware of
thoir position, they tried in vain to i)ull back to
their companions ; but were carried by the wind in
tho other direction, and fortunately fell in with tho
schooner. Mr. Horden and the others were left on
the island without boat or provisions — indeed
almost in the position of Robinson Crusoe — this,
too, with the tide making upon them. They were,
howcvor, luckily discerned by Captain Royal, from
tho Prince Albert, who sent his gig to take them off.
They thus reached the ship, though not to ac-
complish the object they had in view, finding Mr.
and Mrs. Watkins llown, but they partook of
Captain Royal's hospitality ; and, when all the
party were safe on shore, we enjoyed a hearty laugh
at their expense. It was rather a forbidden sub-
TIIR NET IN THE BAY. 155
jcct Jiftoi'wiinls, as my men did not liko to hear of
their biid soiuniin.sliip. 1 believe the Hocrct was,
that though UHed to their own boats with a single
sqtiare sail, they were unable to manage the more
com[)licated rigging of I hat they now had, and
besides this they were weak when so divided.
The evening passed pleasantly in social conversa-
tion, and looking into some of the parcels and letters
intrusted to tlio personal charge of Mr. Watkins by
friends at home. 1 was delighted, though almost
overpowered, to hear of all that had been sent to
lied River and our other missions : the list appended
to a single number of the ( •hurcli Missionary Record
would show how many think of the poor Indian,
how many pray for him, how many labour actively
for his good. The most j>leasing sight of all was
the lithogra[)hed sheet for the Indians, forming a
little book for their use, prepared from a draught sent
home by Mr. Horden, in the syllabic character. It
has, indeed, all the advantages of shorthand, and
is muHum in 2Mrvo, containing a body of Christian
truth We felt at once that it would make the
Indian's heart to leap for joy. ilad they only known
at home that it would form his breast-plate, they
would have had it in a smaller size, doubling the
sheet in half. But, such as it is, it is most valuable.
What a delightful close of the alphabet lesson of
the morning !
August 19//i. — All the morning with Messrs. Wat-
kins and Horden, in conference about missionary
matters, and the detail of work. The examination
156 THE NET IN THE BAY.
papers were all given to Mr. Watkins, and Sunday
morning was fixed for the admission of Mr. Horden
to deacon's orders. We had much conversation
about the expediency of commencing a new station
on the East Main. The Church Missionary Society
had sent Mr. Watkins, in comj^liance with my urgent
entreaty that a clergyman in full orders should be
sent to take the charge of Moose ; under this idea
Mr. Watkins had come out, supposing -^hat Mr.
Horden would return with me. What I had seen
led me to feel, as I think every reader will, that it
would indeed be an unwise step to remove Mr.
Horden from a sphere of present usefulness. To
have taken him with me might have secured him
some intellectual advantages, but it would have
been at an immense sacrifice. Time and souls
would have been lost therr' '- This, then was a
point fully decided; th'" J' . " question remained,
how to employ both to c. ,est advantage. They
placed themselves entirely at my disposal, willing
to remain passive in the matter. This, of course,
laid a heavy responsibility upon me. Mr. Horden
was quite ready to go elsewhere, and break up the
new ground, if I wished to leave Mr. Watkins ot
Moose ; while the latter, though imagining himself
at his journey's end, was equally willing to go forth
again and make his first trial of missionary life at
a, more solitary spot. The former plan would leave
one at Moose, unacquainted with the language, in
something of the position of Mr. Horden a year
ago ; it would therefore be a great loss to the larger
THE NET IN THE BAY. 157
population here, to say nothing of rending the ties
ah'eady formed. Therefore, though feehng deeply
grieved for the additional hardships which it might
lay upon our friends just arrived, my own mind
inclined rather to the alternative of sending them
onwards. 'J'he chief difficulty in opening a new
station at Fort George, or elsewhere, will be the
want of fuel and food, where no notice has previously
been given. Mr. ^Milcs gave us, most kindly, what
information he could, but of course he could make
no definite promises without specific instructions
from the Company.
All tliis left me in sufficient perplexity, and of
the pain of my conflicting feelings I can give but a
faint idea. At the end of the morning's conference
I had thus abundant matter for prayerful thought.
I had gained some insight into the minds and
characters of my young friends, both eager to be
engaged in their Master's work. At times I could
scarcely help washing that Mr. Watkins were at the
Ked River, to supply the place of Mr. James, at
8t, Andrew's Church : he appears to possess great
capacity for usefulness, and would suit admirably
there, but this may not be. We must therefore
strengthen this eastern mission, and trust that God
may, in His good time, supply the lack of service
in the other quarter.
Captain lloyal, and Dr. Blomfield, the medical
officer of the Prince Albert, came ashore during
the day : the former I had not seen since we came
out in company. He seemed astonished to find
158 THE NET IN THE BAY.
mo BO much darker, partly, perhaps, the effect of
cHmatc, but at present it is nuich increased by
exposure for many weeks to the sun.
August 20th. — My time not admitting of much
delay, I arranged finally about the stations. Fixed
that Mr. Horden should remain at Moose, and tliat
Ml*, and Mrs. Watkins should proceed at once to
Fort George, and spend the winter there. I had
given them the option of remaining at Moose until
the spring, and going uj) as soon as the bay opened,
but they preferred going on to their apjDointed
sphere, and this resolution I could not but com-
mend. I felt much satisfaction in this arrange-
ment : it will in a measure occupy this part of
Rupert's Land. Mr. Horden, at Moose, will em-
brace Albany and Rupert's House ; while Fort
George, Little Whale River, and any intercourse
with the Esquimaux will fall to Mr. Watkins. lie
had seen many of the latter, more than usual, in
passing through the Straits, and felt, he said, nuicli
drawn towards them, almost inclined to jump
ashore and visit them. Mr. Watkins will be the
remotest minister of our Church in this quarter.
The Bishop of Newfoundland runs up the southern
part of the coast of Labrador, where ]ic has already
planted some stations, but they do not stretch
beyond Sandwich Bay. Indeed, since my return, I
had a letter from his Lordship, in which he says
that, for the present, he regards Cape Webuk as
his boundary. To the north of that cape are tlic
Moravian settlements, to which the Bishop makes
THE NET IN THE BAY. 159
favourable allusion in his Labrador journal. In
these I had long been much interested, and I now
wrote to my friend, the Rev. P. La Trobc, the
excellent secretary of the Moravian body in London,
requesting him to send complete sets of all their
translations of Scripture, hymns, (fee, for Mr. Wat-
kins, by the ship next year. Of their New Testa-
ment, hymn-book, (fee, I had copies at the Red
River, but these were unavailable here. Mr. Ilor-
den had, fortunately, a few translations, which were
kindly given up for Mr. Watkins ; among these was
the P^squimaux English Vocabulary, compiled for tlie
use of the Arctic expeditions, by order of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty.
In the afternoon we had a happy service in the
church, seven baptisms, — two grandchildren of Mr.
Miles, the children of Mr. James Clouston, ac-
countant at the factory, the three children of Mr.
Wilson, the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Horden,
and the daughter of the valuable store-keeper,
Linklater, who, when necessary, had acted as inter-
preter for me with the Indians during my stay.
The baptisms had been delayed, as Mr. Horden
wished to secure tlie services of Mr. and Mrs. Wat-
kins as sponsors for their babe. Tliey kindly
wished my own name to be added to the Christian
name, and I baptized her, in consequence, L^lizabcth
Anderson ; the very name, although they knew it
not when thev selected it, of her to whom I owe all
my earliest and most sacred impressions, by whose
knee and from whose lips I first learnt to pray.
1 GO THE NET IN THE BAY.
The parents witli the sponsors formed qnite a con-
gregation, and made a pretty group round the font.
I took the opportunity of connecting myself with
the estimable family at the Fort, by offering myself
as an additional sponsor for Mr. Miles's eldest
grandson, and also undertaking the same office for
the son of my kind hostess at Albany. Among my
clergy, it has been my custom to have one godchild
in each family, and so it may continue during my
lifetime, while our number is only small, and I have
already four godchildren of my own baptism among
their families. This day had long been anticipated
at Moose, and the baptisms had been deferred in
expectation of my arrival, or that of a clergyman.
It can never happen again with a regular ministry
among them, that two or three of a family should
be baptized at once.
Aiigust 2\st. — A day of extreme heat, of which
we felt rather the incapacitating effects.
Engaged in preparing instructions for Mr. Wat-
kins, to place in his hands for his guidance in duty.
These were necessarily very general, and it was
difficult to provide for contingencies. From dis-
tance, and there not being any direct communica-
tion, I could not expect to hear from him more
than once a year ; he will thus be very much cut
off from advice, either from myself or from England.
From Mrs. Spencer, of Fort George, who is still
with us, we learnt some additional particulars, and
I find that in some respects the supply of food is
even better than at Moose, more of the larger ani-
THE NET IN THE BAY. 161
mals, of deer, &c., and a greater abundance of
wood partridges and wild fowls. In house accom-
modation they may have some difficidty this win-
ter, but a portion of the Fort, not at present used,
will be given up to them, though it may possess
little of furniture or internal comfort. To Mrs.
Si)cncer, it is a source of great joy. How changed
to them the aspect of the place, with the ministry
of the word among them ! Her son Rupert, who is
now stationed at Little Whale Kiver, a small
branch station of the Hudson Bay Company, will, 1
hope, be of use in interpreting for Mr. Watkins, with
the Esquimaux.
During the morning I received the subscriptions
of Mr, Horden, preparatory to the Ordination ; Mr.
Miles, being a magistrate of Rupert's Land, was
good enough to administer the oath in the absence
of the registrar.
For the last two days Mr. Horden had been seeing
those Indians who were to partake of the Lord's
Supper. We purposely only selected a small num-
ber of the more promising, those of whom, humanly
speaking, one might have every Iwpe. These he
saw this afternoon, and on coming to me he seemed
much overpowered by his emotions, when he spoke
of his people. It had opened up new sources of
deliufht from the closer intercourse which he had
thus with them ; it brought out more affection
towards himself on their part, and much love to
Christ, though accompanied with a deep sense of
M
1G2 THE NET IN THE BAT.
their own weakness. Indeed, it required cncourago-
nient on our part to induce even the most advanced
among them to come forward, so much did thoy feel
their unworthinesH. Mr. Hordcn's feelings at this
time were very aimihir to what I had witnessed at
Fairford, in the case of Mr. Cowley, on the morning
of the Confirmation there.* None of these Indiana
had ever been admitted to the Lord's table by Mr.
Barnley ; they were then in too elementary a state ;
this was, therefore, their first ap])roach. One, my
guide from Albany, Isaac Hardisty, deplored much
the absence of his wife, and asked earnestly when
tliere would be the opportunity at Albany. It was
exactly such a longing which we hope to find in
many hearts, that those partaking may lead others
to desire the same privileges.
Met my two young friends in my own room after
family prayers, in order that we might seek an
especial blessing on the morrow, and commend to
God the infant church at Moose, and the station to
be planted, if He permit, at Fort George. Our
prayer thus embraced the Bay and the East Main,
and the poor Esquimaux beyond. Nor did wo
forget those at Red River, and the other churches
scattered over the iand, and then, enlarging the
sphere of vision, thought of Christ's universal
Church. Tliis reminded me of similar meetings in
the early period of my ministry, when associated
with a respected father in Israel, the late Rev.
* ' Church Missionary lutclligencer,* vol. ii. p. 279.
TUE NET IN THE BAY. 1()3
R. P. Buddicom;* wc used to meet with him, —
my fcUovv-curate and myself, every Saturday eveu-
iug, to implore a blessing on the coming day.
Awjust 2,'2h(L — Sundd!/. — A remarkable Sunday.
To myself as my farewell Sunday; to Mr. Watkins
his opening one ; to Mr. Ilorden that of his ordi-
nation ; to many of the congregation that of their
reappearance at the table of the Lord, from which
they had long been debarred ; to the Indians that
of their first communion.
Early seven o'clock service : Indian prayers read
by Mr. Horden, after which Mr. Watkins delivered,
through the interpreter, a simple and affectionate
addr( ■ from the words of the apostle, Eph. v. 8,
* Ye wcYQ sometimes darkness, but now are ye light
in the Lord ; walk as children of the light.' Dwell-
ing (1) on darkness as ignorance and sin, (2) on
light as knowledge and goodness, and stating
(3) the obligation to walk as children of the light.
It was much to the point, and effective, and
listened to attentively by all.
We had then a short interval before English ser-
vice, and assembled at eleven o'clock. The lie v. E. A.
Watkins read prayers. The second lesson for the
day brought before him the Ordination text of the
Bishop of London (Acts, xx. 28), when he was
ordained priest at St. Paul's. How different the
scene in the cathedral then from the ordination in
*•• Incnmbcnt of St. George's, Everton, for a quarter ol' a
century, and afterwards rriiicipal of St. liee.j' College, Cuin-
l)erlanart of the year.
222
CHAPTER VI.
' Haste liomewnrd ! haste !
Nor the "fall-fish " with autumn's showers await :
For tlien does stormy blast
From all points of the compass circulate.'
Bishop of Newfoundland,
Quoting Hesiod.
Queen's Hill — Osnaburgh and Lac Seul — Storms and Snow
— Changed Scene at English Eiver — Arrival at Home.
Such are the words used by the Bishop of New-
foundland, when referring to the dangers and diffi-
culties of a September visitation on his rugged
coast. I was now beginning to feel something of
their truth. Our chief fear was lest the ice should
set fast at the narrow outlet of one of the lakes,
and so bar our progress. If safely over Lakes
Osnaburgh and Seul we should then have little to
apprehend.
September lUh, — The report in the morning was
that the weather was fair, the wind a little lower,
but the snow deep on the ground. I thought that
this might do; I therefore sprang up, and made
my preparations. I sallied forth from the house,
THE NET IN THE BAT. 223
along the brow of the hill, and then over the rocks
upwards of a mile to the spot, where my men were
encamped with the canoe. It was a curious sight,
skirting the edge of the falls, passing from rock to
rock, the trees, juniper, pine, and poplar, hanging
with the snow overhead. We at last reached the
canoe, and farther on, in a cleft of the hill higher
up, we found the tent, but all was still, the men
not having yet stirred, thinking that I would
scarcely have been up so soon. They thought it
too windy to venture, but after breakfiist and
prayers it was resolved to make a trial. It seemed
necessary to commence in faith, in hopes that the
snow might pass off, as we had little time to lose.
I therefore took leave of Hackland, who had walked
up with me, and who made me promise that, if
unable to proceed, I would return and take up my
quarters at the House.
Soon after starting, the snow set in again in
heavy showers, and it seemed doubtful whether it
would at all clear off. The sun eventually pee[)ed
out at intervals, but the showers of snow, with a
driving north-west wind, continued all day. The
water was considerably lower than on our way
down, and this made the current more gentle for us.
We made in all five portages during the day, the
first a short one over the Island of Galilee — then
came the Big Fall, the Dining Rocks, the Long
Race, and the fifth the Ross Fall, at the extremity
of which we encamped for the night. We could
not well proceed, for want of a good resting-place
224 THE NET IN THE BAY.
farther on. So far it is a pure bed of rock from
Martin's Fa.ls, an almost uninterrupted channel of
solid stone. Here two Indians joined us in a canoe,
having come in the opposite direction, though from
that same river, the Wahpiskow ; they had come
from the Mooswahkeeng Lake, and were on their
way to the House. This is the universal term in
the country, and in itself reveals much. The
House is what you hear on every lip in travelling
about j to it the Indian takes his trip once or twice
a year, to it he looks for supplies, and from it he
derives all his news. They do not name the parti-
cular house to which they are bound : this is left
generally to explain itself, by the direction and
neighbourhood.
September l^th. — The canvas of the tent frozen
hard in the morning, but a fine bright day — coldish
till after breakfast. Before it we made two port-
ages, one called Michael's Creek, then the Moos-
wahkeeng Lake and portage ; and on coming out
into the stream put ashore for our morning meal.
We next made the Long Portage, where we had
slept in going down. Robertson's Falls we ascended
without a poi-tage, the men poling up, and a few of
us walking through the wood to lighten the canoe.
We then passed Gloucester House, or rather its site,
to which the men point, as if saying, ' Fuit Ilium.'
The Lower Gloucester Falls we made remaining in
the canoe ; it was a severe struggle for the men,
more difficult to surmount than any we had yet
encountered, the current threatening to carry us
THE NET IN THE BAY. 225
down, so that we often appeared to be losing ground
and toiling in vain.
We made on the whole a good day ; the weather
had improved, and we had our first sight of the
young crescent moon. It indicated frost from its
clearness, and so it proved.
/September l(Jth. — The tent was found so stiff that
it could not be put into its bag ; it had to be
stretched over the fire to relax it. The canoe too
required to be attended to ; the birch-bark cracks
with the frost, and the plan is to take a kettle of
hot water and sponge it over, to prevent any bad
effects. After all this was done we were still ofi' in
good time. A short run brought us to the Upper
Gloucester Falls, where we were not sorry to make
a portage, as it warmed us and gave an appetite
for breakfast. We kept on, however, first entering
the jMakukabahtum Lake, and reaching the beach
on Favel's Island, where we had dined on the 23rd
of Julv.
After breakfast we kept on the south-east side of
the lake, instead of the northern, as on our way
down. This we did owing to the wind which was
on our side from shore. We passed opposite the
point where Mr. Sutherland had erected his winter
quarters, glad that the snow had disappeared, and
that a like necessity was not at all events as yet
laid upon us. He was, I found, father of Mrs.
Corcoran, of Albany. From that we merged on a
smaller lake, and then passed some very circuitous
226 THE NET IN TUB BAY.
rapids, called by the singular name — the Cheecheesis
(the little fingers), consisting of ten or twelve suc-
cessive rapids, smaller and greater, giving abundance
of work for the pole, at times very shoal and
impetuous, at others deep without a bottom which
we could reach. Rather beyond the centre of them
we found a good encampment : the day throughout
had little sunshine, heavy clouds, and the wind in
the east — the rainy quarter.
The names of rapids and portages vary a little,
it will be observed, on the way up ; some fresh
names have already presented themselves. The
longer and more prominent ones are, of course, the
same either way, but many a rapid, or succession
of rapids, down which we had shot in a few minutes,
and of which we were then scarcely sensible, took
us hours on the ascent. So, too, we had to make
many a portage to avoid a fall, which we had run
with ease on our way down.
Septemher 17 ih. — Towards daylight the rain set
in, and came down with great violence. It cleared
for a little as we rose, and then commenced again
in tremendous showers, with but little appearance
of breaking through the day. About eleven a.m.
we made a start, tempted by a little rising of the
clouds in the cast. We paddled on some diistance
and then faced the Lower Kinwooche Falls. When
the water is high and strong, t'vo portages are here
generally made, but we did without them, only
easing the canoe of about six pieces at one point.
TUE NET IN THE BAY. 227
The navigation was difficult, and the men very
energetic ; they were up to their middle in water,
toiling with ropes.
We then came out on the Jabemet Lake, and
hoisted the sail to catch the east wind. At first it
blew but softly, but gradually increased, much to
our joy. We were carried by it nearly the whole
extent, which we traversed, but were obliged to
stop short, from the rain again setting in. We
made, in consequence, little more than half a day's
work, from eleven to four. Our encampment was on
a projecting point, our tent well in the wood, the
only distressing object being an old conjuring tent
close to us. Many a tree was felled to make our
fires ; the desire to warm themselves gave the* men
fresh vigour in bringing down the pines, and very
soon two blazing fires were ready, one for themselves,
and one for me. There is no stint here, no one
inclined to call a halt when
* Ligna super foco
Large reponens.'
We had many stories of conjuring suggested by
the vicinity of the old tent. They quite believe
that the conjuror can loose his bonds, even when
tied ever so firmly with doubly knotted rope ; they
have assisted in so tying him, and yet have seen
him get forth. Mr. Budd has told me the same;
and it is reported by many on whose word I ought
to rely. If so, I cannot myself entertain a doubt
that there is supernatural power, some agency from
228 THE NET IN THE BAV.
from the evil one, permitted in these cases, as in
the oracles of old. It would then prove that we
are indeed, as I always imagine, nearer to Satan in
tiiis land — that as Christ's kingdom advances it
borders more and more closely on Satan's domain.
One thing they also mentioned, of which I had not
previously heard, that the presence of a Bible or
Testament paralyses their power, and renders their
enchantment vain. The experiment, they said, had
been made by a number of young men, one of them
carrying a Testament in his pocket, without the
knowledge of the conjuror, who, after many in-
efl'ectual attempts, came out, saying that some
one was practising against him ; that, until that
person removed, he could do nothing. The young
man in question I know well ; I do not assert that
he was the cause of failure, but that such is their
belief.
Septemher ISth. — The wind was now more from
'he west, exactly a headwind for us; much rain
had fallen during the night, and it was a very
boisterous morning. We started after breakfast to
make an attempt, and proceeded in heavy rain.
j\lade the portage at Richard's Fall. How different
from the day when I stood in the water to escape the
heat on our way down. We soon came upon the
Wahpatunga Portage and Lake, at the former we
re-j)itched the canoe. It now suffered a good deal
from the weather, the pitch breaking and peeling
off, and the seams opening, which caused some
leakage. It is wonderful, however, how it can
THE NET IN THE BAY. 229
scrape over a stone, or even run foul of a hidden
stake, and often escape unhurt. The sun had by
this time appeared a little, but the wind was still
boisterous, and we had two traverses to make in
which we met it in full force, but the little Rose
rode nobly over the waves. This depends much on
the dexterity of the guide and steersman, and their
perfectly understanding each other. They then
avoid the wave beautifully, and do not ship water ;
one fjilse stroke, and the wave breaks over the
canoe, and deluges you. The clouds gradually
disappeared after these traverses, and we began to
see the hills rising in the distance ; as the sun fell
the sky cleared in the west, and the Queen's Hill
to the right, and Hupcrt's Hill to the extreme left,
revealed themselves in their marked outline. The
mist was seen here and there ascending from the
valleys, drawn up by the sun : they seemed to be
thus sending up their column of incense and
gratitude. On the whole it was one of the prettiest
views we had during the wdiole of our trijD. If I
might have wished, my desire was to have a Sunday
near the hills, and for tjiis we found a lovely bay
with a sandy beach, and commanding a fine
prospect. Here we took up our station, and so
closed a week of storms ; our hope was that the
equinoctial gales were over. We were now half"
way to Osnaburgh : to-day's has been a good
day's work after all, and this exposed lake being
passed, leaves only Miniska of any size before we
reach the House.
230 THE NET IN THE BAT.
Wo had some conversation over tlio fire as to the
measurement of time ; not tliat we dipped into the
question with astronomical accuracy, but rather
confined oiirsolves to tlie practical methods acces-
sible to all. It was brought on by our Indian Tont
putting up liis hand, so as to give the breadth of
the palm under the moon. By this they measiu'o
its altitude, and form a guess at the hours of the
night. By the double measure too they calculate
the number of hours that the sun is above tlie
horizon, allowing an hour for the two palms. The
woodcutters too have also, I find, thair horary
circle, when out in the pines in winter. This is
drawn on the pure snow, and they erect an upright
stick as a gnomon. By this they measure their
daily progress, and use it as a dial, and as a simple
substitute for c^'^^ck or watch. In the case of a
young girl, whom I was called upon to visit at St.
Andrews before I left, who had periodical fits
during the day, the father showed me the marks
on the sill of the window, by which, from the sun's
shadow, he noted the recurrence of the attacks.
September \^th. — Sunday. — A little rain in the
morning, but of a different character — a mild
gentle rain with a warm sky. It was clear before
the hour of service, and we had our usual muster,
some stones being ready for their seats, while I
stood in the centre. My text was Isaiah, liv. 10 :
' The mountains shall depart, and the hills be
removed, but my kindness shall not depart from
thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace bo
THE NET IN THE BAY. 231
removed.' In the immediate neighbourhood of the
hills, the higliest I had yet seen in the country, I
thought we might consider the lessons which Cod
would teach us by them. I dwelt on God's evei*-
lasting covenant of peace as more stable than the
everlasting hills, more enduring than the covenant
of the day and night, more certain than the succes-
sion of sunnner and winter.
After service, the sun shone brightly out, and
that with some heat and power. Still, during the
afternoon, we had some gentle drops of rain, and,
fearing more of it, we assembled the earlier for our
second service, when I considered the parable of the
Householder, which, to all, perhaps, involves some
difficulty. My chief object was to present two
views of the parable, which seemed to my own
mind to embrace its probable end and design. It
would appear to show, 1st, on the part of God,
that eternal life is not the reward of desert, but a
free gift of grace ; 2nd, on the part of man, that
grace does not proceed in a mechanical way, so
that a given period of labour produces always a
certain result, but that in some cases it advances
more rapidly than in others, so that those of the
eleventh hour may in attainment equal those of
the sixth and ninth hour.
In the evening I had some conversation with
Tom ; I told him I was sorry that we could not
teach him more, that he must mention any diffi-
culty that occurred to him to the men, that we
should all be ready to do anything to help him, as
232 THE NET IN THE BAY.
he had condiictod himself so well. His first remark
of his own accord was pleasing? : ho asked if we
could teach him some method of knowing the Sun-
day as it came round. I told him that he must
coiuit six days and then take the next, but he
wanted some mark by the moon, which of course
could not bo given him. I wish we could take him
with us to the Red Uiver, but I fear the influence
of his relatives. The present week will decide
whether he must leave us or not, so that he may
not have another Sabbath with us.
Sei)temher 20th. — A heavy fog, but the weather
mild. Wo wound along the base of the Queen's
Hill for miles, but the summit was invisible from
the thick drapery hanging over it. We had heard
the discharge of a gun the previous evening, and
were in hopes that we might find Indians, and
receive some supplies. Just at starting, a canoe
came in sight with a couple of Indians, but they
had come from the other direction, the Jebemet
Lake, and were on their way to Osnaburgh House.
The one has a brother at Red River, or rather at
Manitoba Lake, who is mentioned in my visit to
Fairford, and he is civilized and intelligent ; but
this brother is still in the darkness of nature,
though I believe he is a sort of teacher or minister
among his people.
We passed up several rapids, and at last came
(m the Upper Kinwooche Falls, where we made a
portage, and soon after rested for breakfast, and
then entered on our old friend the Miniska Lake.
TUE NET IN THE DAY. 233
If the reason of tlio name wcro doubtful before, it
was no longer so, as on one island in particular at
the farther end, wo saw a profusion of red berries
(inoosooniinuk) all along the bank.
Wo had suarecly loft our breakfast rook, when
wo discerned an Indian fire on the side of the lake
to our right, and from it two canoes put out, the
one which wo had previously seen, and the other
with an Indian woman and child, and a welcome
cargo of three sturgeon and some geese. Thus,
each time, when emerging from under the Queen's
Hill, wo had had a supply tendered to us of the
royal fish. The mist had cleared off, and its out-
line looked as pretty as ever. The range of hills
looks even more engaging to the eye than on the
way down ; one commands a longer view of it,
from the foliage not being so thick, and the ap-
proach from the sea-level gives the impression of
greater elevation. I have, too, more time to enjoy
the prospect, having fewer books. All have been
left behind, or nearly all. A book is such a gift
where the means of reading are small, that one
leaves beliind all that one can. The weather, too,
when stormy, docs not so well admit of reading, as
the rain falls on the page ; and even apart from
this, wlien poling vigorously, as we have been
doing more or less for weeks, the book runs a
risk of a splash, which cannot at times be avoided.
We soon reached the Third Snake Fall, with
Albert Hill lying at its extremity : from that a
short run brought us to the second. Here one of my
23 i THE NET IN THE DAY.
moil had alipped in carry iiijjj tho canoo on onr way
down : I had now unicli nioro dread of it, from
liavin;^ scon one poor man at Mooho diHablud for
lifo from fulling nndor a canoo. Wo thon, after a
long interval, reached the First Snake, with its
more tedious portage. On advancing a little far-
ther, Jlupert's J I ill gradually o[)enc(l upon us, and
wo chose our encani[)nient near its base. This was,
I think, almost our best day's work against cur-
rent. All wore in good spirits, it had turned out a
beautiful day, one almost forgot tho snow of this
day week. As tlio reward for a good day's work,
there was a good supply of sturgeon cooked for all.
Osnuburgh begins to feel nearer; our approach
thither would be telegraphed by the two Indians,
who have gone on, I find, by a shorter route to
the Post.
The Snakes certainly struck us more to-day than
before, probably from the same cause as the hills —
from approaching from a flatter country. But,
indeed, every fall impresses one more in the ascent,
or looking from beneath. Thus few have, I believe,
witnessed the Falls of the Rhine at SchafFhausen
without a momentary disappointment, when view-
ing it from above ; but if a boat is taken, and they
are F"on from below, their majesty is felt, and a
more correct idea is formed hj the spectator. We
had made, in a single day, what had taken the
heavy boats two days and a half in 1850 : with a
high wind, a boat may possess advantages, but over
portages the canoe gains immensely, the labour of
THE NET IN THE BAY. 23^)
transporting heavy boats over a long portage, oveti
when facilitated by rollers, being very great. Wo
had a proof of the unfrequented character of the
country during the day. My tent candlestick had
boon left behind on tho way down ; it had been
placed by a tree while tho tout was being packed
up, and after all forgotten ; tho spot was accurately
remembered, and, when my man jumi)ed ashore, it
was found exactly where it had been deposited, and
only required a little brightening to make it ser-
viceable for these longer evenings.
September' ^Xat. — Advanced in tho early morning
through a vapour arising all along the bed of the
river. Wo were in a low channel between high
bruslnvood and trees of larger growth, leaving
Rupert's Hill, and tlien returning to it, leaving it
again, and then, after rounding Spoon Point, re-
turning to it afresh, and then continuing our course
along tho river channel, broken only by frequent
ripples. It was a pretty long run to tho next Fall,
the Skahbccchcwun. The winding made it appear
tho more tedious, but I amused myself by teaching
my young friend a littlo arithmetic. The figures
were made on tho birch-bark, which ho always
carried with him, and which he used to split into
indefinitely thin leaves. On it ho proceeded with
examples in numeration and addition.
We afterwards made the Shakespeare and Cow-
byro Portages without rain overhead, but found
thorn, especially tho latter, very muddy and
swampy. Above these two falls it is very pretty ;
23G THE NET IN THE BAY.
they formed the gorge or narrow outlet, wliich
gradually converges from above and conveys the
waters downwards.
September 22ncl — The tent was hard and stiff,
but WG were off again before the sun was up, and
had, perhaps, the noblest sunrise of our route. We
cannot be far wrong in deeming this about the
half-way to the Red River, as it is the 24th day
from Albany, and wo passed this on our 24th from
Red River on our way down. Wc cannot, however,
expect to accomplish the remainder as quickly as
we did the half to Albany, we do not gain a favour-
ing current to the same extent. We paddled quickly
over the Upper Elbow Lake, anxious to reach the
Cockiamis, a formidable succession of five falls.
We made only three portages, but of these two
were double. The boats, for example, would have
hauled twice, but we walked over the double por-
tage, carrying the canoe the whole length. They
are a pretty succession of singular and broken rocks,
the middle fall of as great height as any on the
way. We still pulled on briskly after leaving them,
and I scarcely imagined that the men would carry
another, but we reached tl\e Smooth Stone just as
the sun was setting gloriously, and they at once
started to take all over to the other end of the
very long, and, as it turned out, very wet and
muddy portage. We almost carried the sun with
us over the hill, as it had scarcely set when we
reached the other end. It was a noble day's work,
and the finest sunrise and sunset that we had had.
THE NET IN THE BAY. 237
taking them together. During the day it was quite
hot at intervals, and, in ascending the Cockiamis,
there was the same dazzle of excessive light in our
faces as noticed elsewhere. We had, too, other en-
joyments; at one of the portages the cranberries
were in great abundance, and besides tliese the
blueberries, which were here in perfection, of large
size and tine flavour. Of these Charley assisted
me in gathering large handfuls ; after helping our-
selves, his delight was to give some to the men for
their refreshment, as they passed with their heavy
loads. There is nothing but bare rock here in
everj direction ; the wood had been much burnt
over the hills, and this disclosed the bareness be-
neath. Indeed, in going down, I had continually
fancied, from seeing the trees in full leaf, that there
must be some depth of soil beneath, but now I saw
how little there really was.
The shades of evening had gathered round before
all was covered over, and the fire lighted. "With
the decline of the day there arose, what we were
not quite prepared for, a very high wind. Fleecy
clouds had appeared early in the morning, and
though the sun went down gorgeously, there were
clouds around which seemed to portend rain, but
the gale was of far greater violence than we could
have anticipated, and we feared much, at times,
both for the tent and for the canoe j it was like a
hurricane sweeping over us.
September 2Srd. — Following upon the gale a
thunderstorm came on about midnight, a few claps
238 THE NET IN THE BAY.
were very near, but the heavier part seemed to
pass to the side of us ; there was heavy rain for a
very short time. The morning was fair but cloudy,
and we left with daylight. Wo passed through
Deer Tent Lake, and came to our encampment of
July 19t'ij <;/here we breakfasted. At this spot the
men enjoy*. V he excitement of a hunt; a little
mink was discerned on landing, and after it they
made at once with poles and paddles, and anything
they could lay hold of. It was, however, cunning
enough, and had many holes at hand ; they traced
it to one, and endeavoured to storm it at each end ;
it took quickly the opening towards the water, and
made a sudden dart in that direction. A stone
now nearly hit it as it swam along ; it reappeared
at intervals, and then went down, and they thought
it must have received some injury, as it made for
land again. They all chased towards that spot,
but it gave them the slip again, and came, as if
almost for protection, to the place where I stood,
and disappeared among thick bushes, where further
pursuit was hopeless. One saw enough to be con-
vinced of the enthusiasm with which the natives of
this country enter into such sport.
We then passed Deep and Shoal Lake, here the
thunder began again to roll, and we had to pull
into an opening between the rocks, and cover over
ready for the descent of the rain. Even after the
thunder ceased the rain continued, but we protected
ourselves as well as we could, and advanced onwards,
reaching Osiiaburgh House about three p.m. We
THE NET IN THE BAY. 239
had accomplished the distance from Martin's Falls
in eight days and a half, or, allowing for detention
by weather, somewhat under eight days, but even
without this deduction we have gained a little upon
Mr. Sweezy.
We were cordially greeted by Mr. M'Pherson,
who had been waiting for us many days. I had a
pleasant evening, and much conversation with him.
He reports that it has been a good summer for fish ;
he mentions also the partial return of the rabbits,
which would be an invaluable blessing to the poor
Indian. They will soon leave for their fall fishery;
it varies from 4000 to COOO. The sturgeon here
are very large ; Mr. M'Pherson mentioned one of
162 lbs. ; the jack fish (kinooshayoo) are also large ;
my steersman spok^ of having caught one on this
lake which they had great difficulty in mastering in
their canoe, until it was killed. One of the Indians
of this Fort has just shot off* his arm from careless-
ness with a gun, in a canoe : very foolishly he had
not come in himself, but sent in the report of the
case.
Mr. MTherson has seen several of the Crane In-
dians since my visit, and says that they are not
unfavourably disposed. They have some ministers
after their own fashion, and something of a place
for prayer and worship, used for nothing else, on a
lake not far off". I had heard they iiad two such
houses of prayer, but I believe they have removed
from the first to a second at the extremity of the
240 THE NET IN THE BAY.
same lake where fish is abundant. The lake is
called the Pahkwnnchees Sahkehikun, or Stumj)
Lake ; it is three days' journey to the nortliward.
The Indian whom we lact was one of their teachers.
That they have a house for prayer only, argues
much in their favour ; but, judging from their
minister, what thcv learn must be little indeed.
How much one would like to penetrate to that lake,
and see them in their own oratory ; how delightful,
if one might be permitted, to turn it into a true
house of prayer, where they might worship God in
spirit and in truth !
We had, of course, a full evening service ; it was
held in a large outer kitchen, where many as-
sembled. There was Mr. M'Pherson's little boy,
whom I had baptized, strong now, but in the in-
terval he had been near death. Several had been
brought for baptism just after my former depar-
ture ; I inquired for them, and four were now pre-
sented to me, and baptized at the close of our
service. One little boy was brought out of bed
asleep, baptized in that state, and then quietly
replaced. This made up the number of seventy-
one, baptized by myself during this trip. I was
asked if there was no hope that one of the clergy-
men from Moose might come up to Osnaburgh. 1
said there was, if they could find a sufficient num-
ber of Indians at any one time, and knew the
period. Mr. M'Pherson said at once, that Lac
Soul and Osnaburgh would be among tlie last places
THE NET IN THE BAY. 241
to receive the Gospel, for they were so cut off from
all means of instruction. But let us yet hope for
them, and bear them in our hearts in prayer.
It turned out a very wet evening, so that we
were grateful for being under a roof for the night.
September 24^7*. — Up with simrise, and all stirring
to see me oif. I wish much I could do something
for this kind family, but the distance is great, and
I can send but little 600 miles ; this limits one's
power, with every desire. They asked much for
Bibles, having but one for all in the Fort. I hope
to be able to send some before winter ; if I can
forward a parcel from lied liiver in time to meet
the Lac Seul winter express, it will open a direct
communication. Here we, after all, left Tom, with
much pain and regret. I iiope he may be kept
from harm and sin, but one fears from hearing that
his brother is one of their ministers. I have told
him that if he would only come into Red liiver, 1
would provide for him, and have him instructed,
and this offer he would, I feel assured, embrace,
but for the influence that may be used over him.
We started off briskly, the men paddling with all
their might, in the hope of reaching Lac Seul in
three days, but the strong head-wind would seem
to say plainly. No. They were now all but one in
their scarlet woollen jerseys, with which they had
furnished themselves at Moose, which gave a warm
appearance to the Red Rover, as it might almost
now be called. The wind caught us at every turn,
and the Lake is much more exposed than Lac Seul,
B
242 THE NET IN TUE BAY.
with fewer harbours of refuge. Indeed, I remarked
to my men, that to us tlie lakes were as seas, and
the sea, when we were on it, Hke a lake. Wo got
to a breakfast cncami^mcnt, where we made an
ample rejiast on Mr. MThcrson's su])i)lic8. We
brought off some of his potatoes, larger and finer
than those of Martin's Falls, with fish, &o. He
had loaded us with blueberries, of which they pre-
serve large quantities ; these, when cooked, with
our pemmican and flour, make it, when well done,
almost like plum-pudding. One small keg he
offered me to take home, if I thought it worth the
carriage ; about this I did not hesitate, and Osna-
burgh pudding is now a standard dish with us ;
the fruit is very much like the dried currants, only
somewhat more acid, and with a slightly smoked
flavour. We had passed two Indian canoes, which
soon after drew up near us, when the usual process
of bartering commenced ; they had geese, rabbits,
and ducks, for which they got in return tea and
ammunition. The party consisted of three males
and two females ; I could not but observe how
readily they defended themselves from the weather,
how quickly their bark covert from the storm, like
a screen, on the wind quarter, was erected, and
their cooking process commenced ; the women with
their rabbit-skin cloaks and long tippets, and a dress
of blue cloth or serge.
We made three or four traverses afterwards, the
waves mounting very high, but were at last obliged
to put in, and remained wind-bound in a rocky bay
THE NET IN THE BAY. 243
upon a point of land, the other side of which waa u
fine sandy beach. The two Indian canoes had
fought successfully with the waves, and were not
long in coming up.
September 25ih. — A very stormy night through-
out; a beautiful bright morning, the sun playing
on the waves, but these upraised so high as to
preclude all hope of leaving the spot. The wind
had changed to the south, and this made the
men rather disposed to think that the stormy
weather, which had lasted more than a fortnight,
might now be nearly over. We found that thougli
we had lost Tom, we had in company with us an
elder brother, or rather, I believe, half-brother,
with his wife and child. He is a fine handsome
looking man, and turned out of some use, bringing
us some white fish in the morning, some jack fish
at night ; the former caught in the net, the latter
by angling.
All day we had, at intervals, heavy showers of
snow ; we hope that they may clear the air, but
the Indian seems to fear from it, that there may
be ice at the narrow passage at the head of this
lake through which we must pass. He says, that
earlier than this last year there was ice. The time
begins to press, but we must hope that all will be
well in the mercy of God. I w^andered about
our island, which has many promontories and
little bays, some of them pretty enough. I also
amused my little friend by an essay at hewing down
trees. I had come upon him when cleaving some
244 THE NET IN THE BAY.
wood, when, in joke, I offered to cut down any tree
lie pointed out ; he chose one of some difficulty,
added to which, my hand has not had much
|)ractice in that way, but once embarked, I was too
proud to give up. It cost me many a blow and
some fatigue, as many a stroke more than was
needed was, of course, given, but at hist, the pine
was seen to full. A few smaller ones were also
])rought down ; the largest execution I had ever
dealt among the trees of the forest !
We had in the evening, a narrow escape from a
severe accident to our steersman ; one of the othcra
was using the hatchet near the tent, when it slipped
from the haft, cut through the tent covering, and
liit Jacob on the head ; happily it was not the
sharp edge of the axe, but the blow was severe,
tiiough blunted and parried by his cap; he was
rather faint and sick in consequence, and com-
plained of his head for a day or two, but nothing
more. How thankful we felt at prayers, that God
had so graciously delivered ! had life been taken,
or any severe injury inflicted, what a gloom would
have been cast over the remainder of our journey.
September 2Q>th. — Sunday. — A pretty sharp frost
during the night ; the clouds still looked heavy
and snowy. May God refresh us with His presence
on His own day, and if it be His will to hear our
prayers, may we pass onwards on the morrow.
This is our second Sunday on Osnaburgh Lake, our
former one on our way down, was not above two or
THE NET IN THE BAY. 2^h
three miles from the spot where wo now wore. I
could desire to bo with my own dear circle on tlu*
tenth, after one more Sunday, but this, I fear, will
be beyond our strength. I had, on leaving, asked
my little boys to put aside a pebble each Sunday,
and after twelve had been so placed, to look for nic
before tho thirteenth. Such was my anticipation
at starting. They have now counted over the
twelve, and to-day they will add the thirteenth,
and will certainly be expecting me this week, but,
I fear, two more Sundays must elapse before we
reach. To-day too is the birth-day of that beloved
sister who performs towards them a mother's part,
and is indefatigable in care and labour. I could
have wished on that account to have been at home,
but prayer can be offered up for her welfare as
effectually at a distance, when bodily presence is
denied.
We assembled about our usual time for service,
\vith tall pines around. The men stood on one
side of the fire, while I stood on the other, with
some boughs under our feet. I lectured on the
Gospel for the day : the Widow's Son raised to life.
Some show^ers of snow passed over, and often the
wind blew it from the trees around, but being dry
it was easily brushed from the Bible or prayer-book,
and did not wet them. Towards the latter part of
the service, the Indians came and stood listening,
and so remained till the end. We were pretty com-
fortable throughout, though the men said it was
cold to their backs; that it might naturally be so.
216 THE NET IN THE DAT.
was proved by tho fact that tho water froze in the
kettle during tlie short period of service.
In tho afternoon wo mustered again. The
Indians were around their fire, and I told one of
the men to say to them, that I was going to have
service. They asked if they might bring their
children, I said most certainly, if they were still
jind quiet, when they came and remained the whole
time. I preached from the words, * Death is
swallowed np in victory,' in continuation of tho
morning's subject, dwelling chiefly on the glorified
l)ody, as raised in incoiTuption, in gloiy, in power,
in contrast with our present body of corruption,
ath.
October 3rd. — Sundxi/. — During tho night the
wind had become very tempestuous, its roar among
the pines was far louder than the thunder the night
before. The fear was that they might come down
over us, as we were encamped in the very heart of
them ; many which were old and dry, were break-
ing and giving way, and the smaJer branches were
snapping off and flying in all directions. There
was too that continual groaning of tho trees, as
they felt the shock of the wind, like the creaking
of the timbers of a ship, which caused one to feel
apprehensive of something worse every moment.
As one large tree fell with a crash, I awoke, and
gave a sort of involuntary call, 'Take care;' though
had it really fallen upon us the caution would have
come too late : as it was it fell just beyond the
tent, providentially not directly over it. The men
2(j?: THE NET IN THE BAY.
shared in the fear ; indeed they had felt it more
than I had done myself ; I always hoped that the
tent-pole would break in some degree the force of
the descent of any tree, but they had no such pro-
tection, and could not sleep at all when they heard
tlie diy wood falling in all directions. I believe my
own idea was only visionary, as I was in reality as
much exposed to danger, but it prevented mc from
feeling the same degree of alarm as in the storm in
the canoe at the outset of our voyage. Nor did
the gale at all abate in the morning : the billows
were running very high, quite like a sea, in our
bay ; the canoe had been secured during the night
by the men, bound bow and stern and tied fast;
but for this the water would have washed over it,
or, what would have been fatal to us, the night's
wind might have broken it up and dashed it to
pieces. It was not we found a partial hurricane,
but had swept over a great extent of country, and
at Red River had been very severe. It hdC^ visited
them somewhat earlier on the Saturday evening,
and had made all think much of us and of the York
boats still out. The latter suffered similarly to
ourselves, and felt its full fury on Lake Winnipeg.
We assembled for service about our usual hour,
the wind having slightly moderated towards eleven.
The chief trouble was the dropping at times as the
trees shook ; the leaves too were falling around us
in great numbers. I had thus to close the prayer-
book, and trust to my memory, as, unlike the dry
snow of the previous Sunday^ the drops of wet
THE NET IN THE BAT. 263
■would very much have spoiled the leaves ; this I
could manage for the service, and had only to read
the lessons, protecting my Bible for that time with
my handkerchief. It was even thus to my own
feelings far preferable to the closeness of the tent
with eleven persons in it. I preached from Psalm
xvi. 11:* Thow wilt show me the path of life,' (fee.
The opening words I applied to the path of the
believer through the present world, as well as that
opened to him in death, for surely God does guide
the feet of His saints, when different ways meet in
their experience. I felt this the more to-day, as
being the third anniversary of ly arrival at Red
River, and also of the entrance into a better life of
the Rev. J. Macallum, of whom all with me had a
lively recollection.
In the afternoon I took the second lesson, and
lectured from 2 Cor. ii. I first explained to them
the circumstances of the apostle when writing ;
secondly, the door that was opened for him to
preach Christ's Gospel, ver. 12 ; thirdly, the awful
alternative of the message, ver. 15. The applica-
tion of the whole chapter to an infant church was
very obvious ; the case of sin which grieved the apostle
at Corinth, how like what we must expect in converts
from heathenism now ; the open door, how similar
to the way in which God opens up countries at the
present hour for the proclamation of His word, or
even to what we had ourselves seen in some little
measure ; and yet w^hile to some it seemed the
savour of life unto life, have we not cause to mourn
264 THE NET IN THE BAY.
that it is yet only as the savour of death unto
death to so many of the Saulteaux, who hear only
to reject. What a naturalness this gives to the
Bible, what an adaptation to every period and con-
dition of the Church !
The wind continued nearly at the same height
until evening.
October ith. — The night was much calmer than
we could have expected, and all were ready vt day-
break, nor was the lake so rough as wo anticipated,
yet as the sun rose, the wind gained in strength.
Wg made a long traverse, and then putting in,
l)reakfast.ed under the lee on a sandy beach. The
white waves here forbade our advance, and we were
obliged to pass the forenoon with the extremity of
the lake in sight. I amused myself with glancing
at some old numbers of the ' New York Albion,'
which I had carried off from Mr. M'Kenzie, in want
of something better to occupy me by the way. In
them I could always find something to interest.
M'Kenzie took his gun and brought down some
partridges, while Charley had some target practice
with bow and arrows. We dined here, not that
this was usual with us on our way up, but being
ashore, the men had not much else to do but to
cook, and thus it is, I believe, generally found, that
the waiting days draw more largely on the pro-
visions than the days of full work. But thus
strengthened, it was resolved to make an attempt
about four p.m., not that it looked much more pro-
mising, but that they generally expect a slight
THE NET IN THE BAY. 2G5
change towards sunset. They had a very heavy
paddle across, but we accomphshed it; and were
not sorry to enter again the river channel. Here
we soon reached a portage, and I jumped out,
thinking the men were about to encamp for the
night, but I found that some were off with the
pieces, and they were going on. I started off at
once, and with some direction from the men, con-
trived in the dark to reach the other end. The
making the portage thus in the dark was attended
with no little mirth ; after a time the canoe arrived,
and my only fear was lest they should slip in taking
it down a very steep bank into the water. This,
however, was safely done, all repacked as quickly
as possible and all got in : the one portage having
stimulated them to try another. It was very near,
as we had only to cross the segment of a circle.
The effect was pretty ; it was dark, the moon not
yet up, but the stars visible overhead — this, with
the roar of a loud waterfall behind us, and the
sound of one ahead, the former causing a wave and
swell, on which we were borne along ; all this gave
a pleasing variety to our position, though there may
have been a little risk in holding on so late. The
second portage was made as before, with this excep-
tion — that when some had arrived at the other
extremity and kindled a fire, they carried back
torches from it to light the way for the others.
Thus, having rested by day, we worked by night,
and the men had certainly earned their supper :
it was one of our most pleasant evenings over the
266 THE NET IN THE BAY.
fire, each having something to tell of the two por-
tages carried in so novel a manner.
October tth. — All was life and stir betimes, and
we were early on our way. It was now sailing with
the cun*ent and very smooth : there had been a
little frost this morning, as well as the preceding
one, but it was not cold, and we went on more
rapidly than for many a day before. It was like a
broad river with a winding course ; at every bend
we saw numbers of ducks and other wild fowl,
reposing on the water, and the gun was prepared
for their destruction, but they w^ere too lively for
us, and always got scent of their pursuers. Many
geese flew overhead, but much too high for us ;
they come in large numbers from Lake Pahkwash,
where they are very abundant, and are now flying
to the south. We had made a good run before
breakfast, and put into a nice rock at the Three
Rivers. On landing, a little kingfisher was not so
fortunate as the birds we h A before seen ; it was
there as if to welcome our approach, but the first
shot brought it down. I had not seen one near,
except in collections in England; its plumage is
pretty and varied with a tuft on its head ; it lives
entirely on the small fish. It was soon upon the
ponask, and presented by one of the men to Charley ;
but the union of fish and flesh did not seem to suit
his palate, for I saw him share it, small as it was,
with one of the men, and he complained during the
day of feeling sick. What I have heard since I
passed here before, speaks much in favour of the
THE NET IN THE BAY. 267
Three Rivera ; T find it had nearly been selected
as the position for the Fort, instead of Lac Seul.
This however does not ofFect my preference for
Islington.
From our breakfast-place, a short run brought us
to the Long Portage, which we had carried in the
rain on July 12th. We had now very different
weather, a beautiful day, one almost of our Indian
summer. But the scene is much changed, the
trees are bare and the pathway strewed with
leaves ; though not wet overhead, it is still swampy
in places. Here, by way of experiment, I can-ied
over one of the heavier pieces. I had generally
taken my own leathern-bag and box of papers, in
order to expedite matters, and to make sure of
their safety, but these I carried in either hand,
which is, I am sure, the worat way for any weight,
from the strain on the shoulder. For the heavier
piece, I took one of their carrying straps, which
passes over the head, resting on the brow, with the
load on the back, and I soon found how much more
easily a weight can thus be carried. I reached the
other end without feeling so much fatigue as I
had often done before with my apparently light
packages, but the men in passing me could hardly
forbear a smile, and besought me not to make
another attempt with such a weight.
We passed thence quickly along, made another
portage, and, after some smaller lakes, entered that
of the Deer-horn. Here we came upon a party of
Indians, the son-in-law of Littleboy, and two or
268 THE NET IN THE BAY.
throe families besides. I observed with concern
that one of the school girls is hero ; taken away
from Islington, I fear, for the winter. They said
the provision was so scarce that they cannot winter
there, but will go in summer. She was a nice girl,
and getting on well. They also told us that the
Lobster, an Indian of some influence, was farther
on, and very anxious to see me, I hope for some
good end. Their chief intelligence was that the
liev. Peter Jacobs, the native Wesleyan minister,
had been nearly lost on the Great Lake on his way
home ; I fear it may make them more anxious
on our account at the Ked River ; as for ourselves,
I trust it may make us more grateful to God for
having mercifully preserved us when exposed to
similar dangers. We continued on till we reached
M'Nab's Lake, but encamped at its upper end on a
nice rock. The wind had moderated much, and
the evening was calm, but, from the brightness of
the Aurora, the men rather doubt its being very
settled weather.
October 6th. — Off a little before sunrise, sky
cloudy, a few drops of rain had fallen in the night,
but it was now calm and fine. We passed quickly
over M'Nab's Lake and Long Leg's Lake ; in the
latter, in a bay to our right, we discerned the
Lobster and family. We had just fired a gun to
give notice of our approach, thinking that we
must now be near him, when, on rounding a point,
we saw the tent well perched on the top of a rock,
sure to be seen by all, and where he could not
THE NET IN THE BAY. 269
miss seeing any passing by. Wo hold a conversation
with him at first from a distance, our guide sound-
ing out the words, ' Umbo, umbe, ondasiian, onda-
slian!' or, 'Halloo, come hither.' We then asked
him to cross over and meet us on an island, to
which we were approaching ; this he soon did with
his wife, daughter, and two sons. The old man,
Shagcshin, or Lobster, has much power of speech,
and would have given a much longer oration ; it
was necessary to keep him to the point, to lU'ge
him to be laconic. The substance of his speech
was that he was willing to embrace Christianity —
that lie would give up his children to be taught in
spring — that he would have a garden and cultivate
near the Skabeochewun, not at Islington, because
afraid of the depredations of passing Indians, that
he would do what he could to get the other In-
dians to embrace also — and, what he was very
anxious to persuade me of, that he was the leading
man at the Rat Portage, and not the one I saw
on my way up. I spoke to him through the inter-
preter, urging him to be steadfast in his good
resolutions, and undertaking to do all in my power
for his children. I promised him seed in the
spring, and gave him some tobacco : this led him to
produce his store, country rice, dried and roasted,
beside ducks, geese, and berries ; his wife did not
fail to tell me that a larger stock of geese prepared
for me had been eaten up, from my return being so
long delayed. AVe gave him other supplies as far
as we could, and I told him I was sorry I had not
270 TUE NET IN THE BAY.
soen him on my way down, as then I should have
had some presents for him. It was, on the whole,
pretty satisfactory ; I ought to say that he was
baptized by the Roman Catholic priest, and was, I
believe, the cause of M. Belcour leaving the White
Dog. I trust he may turn out better with us, but
I have not a great deal of confidence in the man.
His name, 1 may add, is not from the sea lobster,
but from that which goes by the name in this
country — the cray-fish or craw-fish — the river or
fresh water lobster, of which the men brought me
many specimens by the way.
We then made three falls and portages, and
breakfasted at the foot of the lowest. The geese
furnished to us proved extremely large and fine ;
the slices cut from the breast were cooked as a
steak, and were excellent : it is the best way of
preparing them, and, though it might, perhaps, be
from a traveller's appetite, seemed preferable to
anything in one's own house. With such food,
geese, ducks, and fish, the Indian is indeed well
off at this season. God does indeed do much for
them, as old Mr. M'Kenzie said to me at Lac Seul,
if they could only be induced to do something for
themselves — to anticipate the future, and lay up
provision for the winter. We hold our morning
prayers close to the waterfall ; I had not thought
of it till we were on our knees, but I felt as I pro-
ceeded, what I afterwards found was the case, that
the men could scarcely hear the voice owing to the
rushing sound of the water. We were borne on
THE NET IN THE BAY. 271
from this with a more rapid current and a few
ripples, towards the Skahbeeclicwun Falls ; it was
rather a heavy portage, and oecupied some time,
having a steep brow at each end. We passed on
and made a good paddle over the lake of the same
name. We were so late in thinking of our encamp-
ment, desirous to cross a long traverse, that when
obliged to stop wo had no resting-place near known
to the men. We made for several points, but were
obliged to put off again, either from want of wood,
.f shallowness of the water. Our fastidiousness
turned at last to good account, for, making in one
direction, at a venture, we found quite a pier of
granite, to which we pulled up with deep water.
Within twenty yards was a noble pine wood. Our
fire was sparkling and fragrant from the pine
boughs ; one was sensible of the gum when stand-
ing by the fire. We had on our way picked up our
old mast, which had done service on the way down,
in hopes that the wind might prove fair on the
morrow. We were not disappointed.
October 7 th. — We started with the mast up, and
made one or two shorter traverses with it, but the
course afterwards was too winding, and the wind
rather too much in the north to be of service : we
were, however, thankful for its aid, as it had car-
ried us quickly to our breakfast spot, which was
the very same where we had halted on the morn-
ing of July 10th. We now again saw the oaks, a
new sight to our little traveller, but pleasant to us,
as it told of nearing home.
272 THE NET IN THE HAY.
Wo started immediately after breakfast to run
for the Kettle FalU. JUit here, in our anxiety to
make a short cut, a wrong turn was taken : wo
wanted to kee[) up towards the wind, and use it
as long as poysiblo. In doing this one error was
committed, and each advance only carried us dr-
iller and farther wrong ; still wo hoped to beat into
the other channel, and were rather too proud to
turn about. The men, who knew every reach and
island on the way, declared thai they were out" of
their reckoning, and knew neither the trees nor
rocks which we were passing. I rather encouraged
them, I confess, to paddle on, thinking we must
find an opening, which would set all right. At
last they asked me to consult the compass to ascer-
tain our bearings. Unsailorlike, I had gone with-
out one, but Mr. Miles, on my leaving Moose, had
insisted on giving me a small })ocket one, declaring
it was unsafe to travel without it. On the open
sea I had had no occasion for it, but here the men
in their difficulty gladly appealed to it. By it we
corrected our course, and steered on a little far-
ther, but at last fairly came to a cul-de-sac. Here
we had nothing for it but to wheel round, and
retrace our way, step by step, until we reached the
point, from which they were conscious they had
diverged. We had only been speaking, at break-
fast, of the wonderful knowledge of a route once
traversed, manifested by those of the country, and
here was an unexpected puzzle. It almost seemed
as if the owl heard by the men in the morning, to
THE NET IN THE BAY. 273
which they always attach a superstitious import,
had givcu some token of the chiy's disaster, as if wo
might ahuost say, changing only the bird of evil
omen,
' Sinistra ca\k prmdixit ab ilice comix.'
We went on the more ([uickly to make up for
lost time ; crossed the Tine Lake, and reached the
Kettle Falls, two of these we carried, when night
closed in and prevented all further progress. We
had a pleasant night, with the roar of the second
Kettle Fall in our ears — all the pleasanter for the
little anxiety of the way. It was an additional
proof that truth is one and error infinite, and that,
when convinced of being in the wrong, the shortest
way is, unhesitatingly, to retrace our steps, without
striking nito by-paths. Two of the men had at the
time perceived the deviation from the course, but
did not like to remonstrate with the guide and
steersman. My confidence in them was not at all
shaken by this accidental circumstance : the only
wonder is how they thread their way where all the
islands in succession are so like each other to a
common eye. I once thought that I had the bump
of locality, but I find that I want the objects and
associations of home ; amid the lakes and rivers
here I feel entirely at fiiult. Their minds, how-
ever, not being crowded with ideas and recollections
from other quarters, nor filled with the histories of
other events, each day's adventure fixes itself more
deeply on the memory, and leaves a more abiding
impression.
T
274 THE NET IN THE BAY.
October Sth. — Stai-ted before daylight : made the
third Kettle Fall portage, and proceeded onwards,
breakfasting directly opposite our sleeping encamp-
ment of July 8th. Two spells brought us then in
sight of Littloboy's tent, very near to the same
spot where we had seen him before. The old man
came out on the rock, but his face bore evidence of
"buffering, and on inquiry, I found that he had a
sick household ; his son Michael, strong and vigor-
ous when we passed along, was now laid down ; he
complains of pain in his back and chest, he coughs,
and expectorates a good deal, and looks rather
consumptive. His daughter, too, a grown up young
w<^man, was even worse still ; she has lost all
appetite, does not sleep, and scarcely speaks to
them at all. She seems to be in that morbid state
common among the Indians, when it is difficult to
extract a word from them. They say she feels
much, having, against her will, been a party to
a Metawin fe.^.st, and that this preys upon her
mind ; it appears that, witliout her knowledge, her
name was put dowm, and they suppose that this
implicates them in it ; they did it in order to mix
her up afresh with their superstitions, and she felt
it to be against her Christian profession. But it
would be, indeed, carrying the doctrine of intention
a great way, to imagine that the will and act of
another could thus involve her in sin. I, therefore,
begged her to cast off the thought, and to try to pray
simply to God ; I joined in prayer with them in
the tent, and trust it may yet please God to restore
THE NET IN THE BAY. 275
them. The father would have gone on with us to-
day, but affection keeps him by them.
I then heard that the old man, Baptiste Cameron,
was very anxious to see me ; he seems very near
his end, worn to a skeleton, merely skin and bone.
His only covering was his rabbit-skin, and one
fully believed him when he said he felt very cold.
He told me that he had a basket of blueberries for
me, and also a goose, of which he begged my
acceptance. He asked me to pray for him ; he
savs he does pray, and trusts solely in God's mercy ;
that his desire is to live a little longer, that he
may pray more. I promised to send him a pair of
blankets from the River, the kind gift of the
Countess Dowager of Chichester. After prayer with
him, I was obliged to leave, and did so with u
favourable impression, thinking the old man really
in earnest about his soul. Both Adum Landon and
he begged me separately, with great earnestness,
not to listen to the younger men, who wished the
removal of the station from Islington, but rather to
be guided by the counsel of the elders, who were
all strongly iii favour of its continuance there.
Such testimony I cannot but feel to be of some
weight.
We then started, after leaving some little supply
of pemmican and what else we could spare, for the
invalids and others. Leaving the English River,
we made the two portages across, and then had a
pretty long paddle over the lake. It is said to
abound with good trout, and has the steepest rocky
276 THE NET IN THE BAY.
sides one has seen ; the granite is sheer down to
the water, giving it a dark appearance, almost like
Wastwater, in Cumberland. We had only one
more portage, our longest, but our last, bringing
us within two miles of the mission station. At
the farther end of this w^e found the remains of a
ure kindled during the morning, and thought that
some one had been at work clearing the portage for
us. Pressing on we reached our destination about
an hour after sunset. We expected to find Philip
Kennedy all alone from what the Indians had told
us, but were rejoiced to hear the voices of the
children, and to see some canoes on the bank.
He had almost been despairing of our arrival, and
had determined to start on Monday for supplies
from the Ked River, thinking that he dare not
delay longer. He had spent the morning with
some of his Indians, as we guessed, in cutting away
some of the thick wood across the portage. How
opportune, therefore, was our arrival !
Here I again found letters awaiting me, with
good intelligence from the Eed River; one also
from the Rev. C. Hillyer, from Swan River, on hi&
way to Fort Pelly. We had the tidings confirmed
respecting the Rev. P. Jacob, who had spent a
couple of days here on his way up. Having lost
nearly all that he had with him, Philip had kindly
assisted him with the little he could spare. The
accident seems to have arisen from rashness on the
lake, and, had the wind been from land, might have
been fatal. I was glad to find nine children still
THE NET IN THE BAY. 277
with Philip, and to see tliem neatly dressed in what
had been given them. He had also had a deaf and
dumb girl with him, but she leaves to-morrow. ]
hope, at some future day, to be able to take heT ,
and made the offer to that effect to her friends.
Cases of the kind are by no means common in the.
country: as many, perhaps, as eight or ten are all
which have fallen under my own knowledge. If
the plan of an orphan asylum (as suggested by the
Rev. R. James) should be carried out, a department
for those afflicted in this way might be connected
with it. I find that David, for whom I had eagerly
looked either at the English River encampment or
here, is not awaiting me as he promised. This is a
grief, the more so as Philip leads me to imagine
that he is kept out of my way by the influence of
others. But there is one very favourable case,
unexpectedly presented to me — a young Lac Seul
Indian, w^ho has been employed for some time as
an additional fisherman. Philip Kennedy speaks
of him as one of the most engaging young Indians
he has seen. He has had much pleasing con-
versation with him ; and, the otlier evening, after
speaking to them at prayers regarding baptism and
other subjects, the young man had stayed behind,
and said, ' Niche (my friend), when our great Father
comes up, would you pray him to baptize meV
This request, which seems to have been made in
full sincerity, I was willing to comply with, and,
being pressed for time, fixed that it should take
place the following morning.
278 THE NET IN THE BAY.
October 9th. — I scarcely slept so well as usual
here, partly from what most experience the first
night under a roof after tent travelling, partly from
so much passing through the mind from letters,
and the arrangements necessary to bo made. I
liad to settle about leaving one of my men here,
while Philip went to tiiC Red River with me ; two
had overnight professed their willingness to remain ;
1 now determined that Caleb should be left in
charge, and that an Indian should take his place in
the canoe. I then proceeded to the baptisms ; the
two boys referred to, as given over to us by the
Old Pelican, are, it appears, half-brothers of this
young Lac Seul Indian. To the latter I gave the
name of Edward Foley, after one who has long been
an active friend to the Church Missionary Society,
the Rev. Ed. Walwyn Foley. The two younger
boys were baptized Charles and Peter Foley.
We started soon after ten o'clock ; Mr. Kennedy
followed us in a half-sized canoe, with Edward
Foley and two other Indians. We went rapidly on
with the current ; of the route it is unnecessary
again to give particulars. We had flying showers
all day, but we pressed on ; we might have done
a little more, but the other canoe had fallen behind,
and we were afrpid to part company. We, there-
fore, halted rather earlier than usual, choosing a
nice encampment for the Sunday, and lighting a
large fire on a spot where it was sure to be seen by
the others. We thought the Indians might have
taken a shorter cut, and so missed us altogether, but
THE NET IN THE BAY. 279
they came i.'p in about an hour, when it appeared
that they had lost ground by putting back for some-
thing which had been left behind. We had our
evening prayers around the fire, our numbers being
now augmented ; we sang,
* Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way.'
At night we generally chose some hymn pretty
well known to all, as there was not light enough to
read.
October \Oth. — Sunday. — Arose for what, we hope,
will be our last Sabbath on the way. I would gladly
have spent it at Islington, and at an earlier stage
of our journey should not have hesitated to do so ;
but now, with winter fast approaching, we did not
like to lose the Saturday, as we could not feel sure
of accomplishing the remainder of the way during
the week, had we waited for the Monday. We had
slight showers of snow and hail, but it wa«
sufficiently fine to have service in the open air.
During the prayers I felt much the force of some
passages, the verse in the Psalms for the day, ' 1
know all the fowls upon the mountains;' in the
second lesson, ' Pray ye that your flight be not in
the winter;' and in the first lesson I hope all rea-
lized the words (Ezek. xx. 20), ' Hallow ye my Sab-
baths, and they shall be a sign between me and
you.' I trust that each Sabbath has been thus to
us in some measure a sign from the Lord. 1
preached from Deut. viii. 2 -4, ' Thou shalt re-
280 THE NET IN THE BAY.
member all the way/ kc, on the wilderness jonrney
of Israel, as typical of the believer's path through
life, with passing allusions to our own little journey ;
this I selected, as applicable to what may be, in thp
providence of God, our last meeting together. We
sang ' From Greenland's icy mountains,' to cheer
our minds with the hope of a brighter day for the
Indians ; and, ' As when the weary traveller gains,*
to express our own feelings in the nearer prospect
of home. We were, too, on the Eagle Nest Lake,
and, in explaining the text, I dwelt a little on that
beautiful picture of the providential care of God,
' The eagle stirring up her nest, fluttering over her
young, spreading abroad her wings, talking them,
bearing them on her wings.' The whole passage
seemed a parable for us. (Deut. xxxii. 9-12.)
I took, in the afternoon, as our subject, the words
we had had in the morning lesson, ' Take ye heed,
watch and pray.' (St. Mark, xiii. 33.) They
furnished me with suitable counsel and warning
before parting ; I dwelt on the work assigned to
each, even the humblest ; the uncertainty of the
time for carrying it on ; the necessity, therefore, of
constant watchfulness ; and, combined with this, as
our only security, continued prayer. Thus closed
our last services, — our fifteenth Sabbath together,
since leaving home. Very varied were they, from
our position and circumstances, as the narrative has
shown, but none, I hope, without some blessing,
both to ourselves and those worshipping with us.
October 11th. — Another wintry morning, with
THE NET IN THE BAY. 281
very high wind, and, as we proceeded, we had
showers of sleet. \Vc made some distance before
breakfast. Passed a ])ortage with a long Indian
name, sometimes called the Noisy Fall, but the
full meaning of which Philip explained to me to be,
* The fall which wearies you with hearing the
sound.' It is one of their poetical compounds, a
word which contains a picture within itself.
Heartily glad were we to find a fire at the other
extremity of our breakfast portage, kindled by the
Indians of the smaller canoe ; indeed, we had here
three immense roaring fires, for myself, my men,
and the Indians of the other canoe, and yet a few
feet from them it was bitterly cold. Refreshed,
however, and in some measure warmed, we set
forward for the day's work. We found the ground
sprinkled with snow, of which they must have had
more than we had. We carried all the portages
rapidly, the snow lying on the track, and the leaves
falling around us, and before evening we had passed
the Slave Fall. As we were taking up our en-
campment, just beyond it, some Indians were dis-
cerned in a bay opposite to the spot, for which we
were making. We immediately fired a signal, and
this soon brought them across in two canoes ; they
proved to be relatives of the fisherman in Philip
Kennedy's canoe, and the conjuror, whose tent I
had visited with so much pain on our first Sunday.
He came forward with the usual salutations, but
one saw that there was jnuch constrain c with him,
and that his brow looked clouded. He is a most
282 THE NET IN THE DAY.
insidious character, and a great stumbling-block in
our way. By cross-questioning the Indians with
him, as well as himself, I ascertained a good deal,
and in this way I was not sorry that we had met
him, as I always like to know the worst beforehand.
He has been I find, the means of keeping David
out of my way, and prejudicing his mind ; and has
been circulating all manner of false reports respecting
myself and the object of my journey, among any
Indians who would listen to his talcs. As I gazed
upon him, and felt how he was withstanding the
work of God, and injuring, for time and for eternity,
his simple-minded fellow-countrymen, I could not
but think of the words, ' full of all subtlety and
all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of
all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the
right ways of the Lord V The case of Elymas, and
the words of the Apostle, I could not banish from
my mind all the evening, and when he came to say
farewell, and stepped into his canoe, there was a
feeling of sadness more than one can express.
Surely without any judgment or penal infliction,
there is upon him ' a mist and darkness, and he
gropes about seeking some to lead him by the hand.'
(Acts, xiii. 10, 11.)
October IWi. — A severe frost during the night ;
after the paddles had been softened over the fire,
and the tents relaxed, we started ; the morning was
beautiful, clear yet cold, but not so bitter as the
cloudy and raw cold of the previous morning. We
had often before prognosticated from the sunset,
TUE NET IN THE BAT. 283
and boon disappointed ; but now our anticipations
of fine weather seem lil^ely to bo true ; a fine
sunset, this bright morning, and a new moon to-
morrow, fill lis with hope. The last moon had
been, throughout, ytorniy and unsettled. We
advanced onwards, opening on the Otter Fall ;
after running it, and thus escaping a portage, we
glided down a number of small rapids, the swiftness
of the current here reminding one of our rapid pro-
gress down the Albany River. We afterwards made
four successive portages, and not far beyond, three
within a stone's cast of each other, some of these
dangerous and slippery, though short. The granite
rock shelves down to the water, which, when it
retires, leaves a green slimy coating, rendering the
approach to the canoe very hazardous for the men
with their pieces. Indeed, it was difficult to prevent
the canoe itself from slipping away ; two had to
hold it bow and stern, and their footing was any-
thing but sure. At one of these I made rather a
more rapid descent than was pleasant ; my feet
slipping, I came down on my back, with my legs in
the water, almost under the canoe. It might have
proved more severe, and the men, in great alarm,
would have persuaded me that I must be hurt, but
I only felt shaken a little, and did not suffer after-
wards, though jumping at once into the canoe with
my clothes pretty well wetted, and remaining so for
the rest of the day. We avoided the Pinawa
now, wishing to gain all the advantage from the
current, where before we had sought to keep out
284 THE XRT IN THR DAY.
of it, as opposed to us. As we advanced, tlio river
widened upon us, until wo canio to tho Fircbag
Lake, the Indian name for the Bonnet ; wo crossed
it with a beautiful setting sun, nor do I know that
we saw a cloud all day. Wo reached our old en-
campment of July 1st, and spent hero a happy
evening ; our feeling was, as all confessed, that we
could scarcely realize being so near home, after hav-
ing anticipated it so long. It was a good day's work
to have made eight portages ; we hope to accom-
plish the remainder, or nearly all, to-morrow.
October \Wi. — Off before sunrise, the things hav-
ing been first carried over by the men ; which day
should, by rights, claim the portage, seems un-
certain, as it was only over the rock on which we
had encamped. We then pulled to the next, a
short and easy one ; on our way the sun rose
beautifully. There had been frost during the
night, and ice met us always as we drew to land.
We had now reached the Great Bonnet, tho formid-
able portage of this stage. AVhat a change now !
Before, the men were covered with perspiration in
carrying over their burden ; now they had to use
every exertion, running and clapping their arms
across their breast, to keep warmth in them. The
first part of the portage was hard, the ground well
frozen ; in the middle there was a treacherous coat-
ing of ice over the swamps ; at the other extremity
there was a steep hill and descent, very wet and
dirty. Here, through the quicker movements of
those in the lighter canoe, we had a fire prepared
THE NET IN THE BAT. 285
for breakfast ; to this wo did ample justice, a
portage of three quarters of a mile insuriug a very
good appetite. Tlie wood partridge or pheasant
abounded, and M'Kenzio was successful with the
gun, while all was being transported over.
We had now only five portages remaining ; the
White Mud Portage was soon made, and another of
no great difticulty ; this left us but three. Of these
the two first are being joined together, a road
having been partially opened through the wood, so
as to make one longer portage, and save the double
removal of the boat's cargo. I started to walk, not
doubting that I should bo able to find the new
track, but it was not as yet fully marked out, and,
by deviating a little, I got into more of a thicket
than I expected. I had too in the morning altered
somewhat my travelling attire, in the prospect of
reaching Fort Alexander. I found, however, that
it was vain to scramble with my apron on, so I took
it off, and carried it in my hand, and then pushed
my way through the wait-a-bit thorns and the fallen
logs, and reached the canoe before all was ready for
a start. The last was a pretty portage, over hard
rock, very joyful to us, though bearing the some-
what melancholy name of the Cypress Portage.
Here one of the men had a slight accident ; in
running back at full speed for a fresh load, he fell
down with great force, and grazed and sprained his
arm. I was on the point of cautioning them to be
doubly careful over the last, as we had had no
accident throughout ; I had rood Psalm xci. in
28G TIIK NET IN THE BAY.
tho morning, rcforrin\-
The following summer, as has been already
hinted, was that fixed on for a visit to England.
Seven years had now been spent in the land, dur-
ing which even more than I had anticipated had,
through God's blessing, been accomplished. It was
now necessary to leave for a season, to place my
boys at school in England, to raise funds for the
t THE NET IN TUE BAY. 305
farther extension of the work, and to seek spiritual
refreshment and invigoration by intercourse with
friends, and all the privileges of Christian life at
home. Nor was it a subject of much deliberation
to decide on the route we should take. We had, as
a matter of necessity, come out originally in 1849
by the Hudson Bay and the icebergs ; and as we
were a tolerably large party, it was thought best
that we should return by the same route, though
that over the prairies was now partially opened njj
for travellers.
The Third Charge had been delivered on the
29th of May, the anniversary of my own consecra-
tion ; the two excellent Archdeacons were left in
authority, and early in August we started by boat
for York Factory. At first we imagined that Lake
Winnipeg was to be crossed expeditiously. A
favourable wind setting in when we were about t(»
encamp for the night, the men were unwilling tc»
lose»it ; so, making ourselves as comfortable as we
could in the open boat, we sailed onwards the
whole night, with the stars bright overhead ; and
glad we were that we had done so, for we had
afterwards detention enough from head Avinds ere
we reached Norway House. To this soon succeeded
the excitement of the portages and running the
rapids. At one of the latLor, with a dangcroiis
circuitous course, several of the boats in company
with us were broken, while our own happily escaped
damJlge. One other night was spent in the boat,
but very different from tluxt on which we made
X
306 THE NET IN THE BAY.
the traverse of the lake : on this occasion we had
thunder and drenching rain ; but we were drifting
rapidly down the stream, and expecting to rcacli
our destination and our English letters next day.
To have landed and made a wet encampment would
not much have mended the matter ; so, with the
prospect of a roof over our head when we reached
York Factory, we held on, arriving there in a miser-
able plight, as thoroughly drenched as we could be.
Here all was changed since we landed in 1849.
There was then no resident clergyman, and only
at long intervals had they tlie occasional services
of some one en route like ourselves. We now found
the Rev. W. Mason established there, with schools
in full operation, and a church in progress. Some
candidates had been prepared for confirmation, and,
as the first held at this spot, it eniln'aced those of
every ^ar^nng age. As at Moose, the services were
both i English and in Indian ; so that the Sunday
was a doubly busy day. Several visits were paid
to the new church. Building operations cannot be
very rapid here, from the want of lai'ger timber and
the shortness of the summer. At this time, too,
work was practically suspended, as all available
liands were wanted for loading and unloading the
ship. It has, however, since been successfully
completed, with the addition of an -east window,
promised by my sister at the time, and sent out
from England by the next year's ship. Though the
church was not itself ready, ground was selected
for a burial-ground, which was duly consecrated.
THE NET IN THE BAY. 307
Of the homeward voyage little need be said. Tlie
ship was a new one, but Captain Herd was still in
command, who had done all for our comfort on
our outward passage.
In the solitude of this Bay there is little of tlie
usual excitement of a voyage : not a sail meets the
eye, and at this season no icc))erg was to be looked
out for. Our only mischance was grounding one
afternoon on an island, and that an uninhabited
one, destitute of anything like timber. The cur-
rent had swept us ashore l)efore we were aware of
it, and for upwards of six hours there was con-
siderable anxiety. The weather happily continued
moderate, and as the tide rose we began to heave,
and ultimately got oft' without serious damage t<>
the ship. Had the wind increased while we were
in this critical position, the ship might have broken
her back or become permanently disabled. We
should then have been obliged to take up our abode
on the island, forming a dwelling of the packs of
valuable furs of which the cargo consisted, and
supporting ourselves from the ship's stoi-es, using
part of its timbers for fuel. But the only possible
rescue would have been to await the setting fast of
the ice, to send over it a party many hundreds of
miles to York or Moose, as from these spots only
assistance could be procured. It is painful to con-
template the risks wliich might have been incurred
by those thus sent to the mainland, or the difti-
culties that would have attended the removal of
the whole party over the ice. All this we hardly,
perhaps, realized fully at the time. One thought,
308 THE NET IN THE BAY.
however, whicli pressed much upon us, was that of
the distress which would be felt by friends at home,
had we been detained here. They could not, by
any possibility, have heard of us for many months,
and in the interval must have given us up for lost.
But it is one of those alternatives on which memory
hardly likes to dwell. Tha tliought of what might
have been almost bewilders the mind on the retro-
spect : at the moment it afforded matter of deepest
gratitude to God for His merciful interposition in
our behalf.
In the Hudson Straits, though without icebergs,
we had a foretaste of winter in the fresh-fallen snow
visible on either shore. One melancholy scene was
the burial of a poor sailor-boy who had died of
rheumatic fever : the service — always a solemn
one — was attended by all on board; the sound of
the plunge, when the body is lowered into the deep,
is one not easily forgotten ; and the ship goes on in
its course, its way scarce broken by the momentary
interruption.
Over the Atlantic our speed was rapid, and we
had every hope of making an average passage, until
baffling winds and calms prevented our entering
the Channel, and delayed us for upwards of a fort-
night. The weather was pleasant enough, but
without steam we could make no progress. At
times it was suggested that we might make for the
west coast of Ireland, where the passengers might
disembark ; but at length, after our patierce had
been severely tried, we saw the lights of the Chan-
nel, and landed on the last day of October. The
THE NET IN TnE DAY. 309
following day (Sunday, Nov. 1st) wo offered up our
thanksgivings in the Church of St. Anne's, Lime-
house, having all of us been hospitably welcomed
at the Rectory by my friend, the Rev. E. R. Jones.
The penalty I had to pay for this was having to
preach at short notice, — my text from St. Luke,
xviii. 29, 30, ' There is no man that hath k it
house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children,
for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive
manifold more in this present time, and in the
world to come eternal life.' The delight of sucli
an arrival would be among the blessed compensa-
tions, — the ' manifold more ' of the Redeemer's
promise.
Friends and relations soon flocked around us ;
the wilderness was exchanged for the full ilow of
Christian sympathy. There was much of intelli-
gence to be gathered up, as we were wholly uaac-
cjuainted with all that had taken place in the
world since the ship had left England early in
June. Among the most grateful tidings which we
had learnt, when the pilot came on board, was the
appointment of my friend of early years, the Dean
of Carlisle, to the see of London ; and it was no
small pleasure to be in sufficient time to be present
at his consecration in the Chapel Royal, Whitehall.
Then there came, shortly after, the visit to my own
University, to lay, by invitation, the foundation-
stone of the new chapel of my own College,* and
• Tlie beautiful Chapel of Exeter College, since conse-
crated.
:U0 THE NET FN THE BAV.
afterwards to preach the Ordination sermon in the
(Cathedral of Christ Church, at the request of tlic
Bibhop of Oxford.*
It was thus far from heing a period of rest and
inactivity ; it was really one of more unceasing
employment and greater mental strain than when
abroad. Much had to be accomplished in a short
time. We felt bound, as oi)portunity oftered, to
relate to the Church which hud sent us out wdiat
had been done ; and, as when Barnabas and Paul
returned from their first missionary journey, so
now many rejoiced at the tidings. On one occasion,
when some detail of the work had been given, and
Heber's Missionary Hymn had closed the service,
a lady who was present wrote afterwards the fol-
lowing additional stanzas, in which the spirit of the
liyun itself seems well caught up. We trust she
will excuse our giving them here : —
♦ Now Greenland's ioy mountains
Have caught the joyous sound,
Glad tidings of salvation
Are gatheiing all around ;
Eed River, Moose, and Fairford,
Peal forth the Sabbath bell,
The Saviour's name is lionour'd,
Of Christ e'en babes can tell.
From Indian in his wigwam.
From hunter in liis lair,
From swift canoe, from snowy tent,
Sounds sweet the voice of prayer,
* • The Heart given to God and the Work.' Hatchards,
1857.
THE NET IN TUE BAV. 311
Unliftod is tlio Indiftn's hnnd,
Ui)ruisM the wild man's heart,
Tn our (Jreut Tutlu'r, Three in One,
He too has now his part.'
Nor was it only of the past we had to speak :
we liad to think and plan for the future. While
Moose and Albany were constantly referred to, and
the syllabic characters exhibited and explained,
urgent letters of entreaty were received, ai)pealing
for more lielp. Nor was the appeal made in vain :
it was determined that another labourer shoidd be
sent to Moose, and that I should ordain him before
again quitting England. I ventured to propose
tliat it should be in All Saints', Derby, the church
which I had left on going abroad ; and by commis-
sion from the Bishop of Lichfield, and through the
kindness of the Rev. E. VV. Foley, I was able td
accomplish this. Shortly after his ordination, Mr.
Thomas Hamilton Fleming proceeded to James's
Bay by the summer ship.
Our own time of departure was drawing near.
We gained two more months in England by altering
our route, and taking the more direct course by tlie
Canadian steamer to Quebec. It gave us, too, our
first sight of the Church in Canada, forming new
links and friendships with many belonging to it.
We were cordially welcomed at Quebec by Bishop
Mountain, w^ho had much to say of his early visit
to Red River, which had really led to my being
sent out there. We passed on, by Montreal and
Toronto, through part of the Western States to the
312 THE NET IN THE DAY.
Upper Mississippi. Our object was to reach St.
l\iul, wlicro I knew that tlio Diocesan Synod, to
which I liad received a special invitation, was about
to assemble. At the request of tl\o venerable
liishop Kemper, I preached tlie opening sermon
of tlie Annual Ccmvention of the Diocese of Min-
nesota, and remained with them throughout its
session.
From St. Paul wo were to enter iijion the
])rairie. Here a party from Red River mot ns with
horses, our friends there having luidertaken the
expense of this part of our journey. We felt at
homo on seeing their faces, and yet there was the
interveninur distance of somethinjjr like five hundred
miles to be traversed, the greater part almost with-
out roads, with rivers to be crossed as best we
might, without bridge or boat. At St. Paul I had
purchased a light buggy, the only kind of carriage
availal)le for such a trip : in this my sister was
driven, while I took to the saddle. It was some-
what nervous work to watch the descent of the
vehicle down a precipitous bank into the bed of a
rapid river, to see it make its way across, over the
rough and slippery stones, with a strong current
beating upon it, and then ascend the steep bank on
the other side ; knowing that, had the wdieels sus-
tained any damage, there was no blacksmith within
reach to repair them. But even more difficult, at
times, were the rivers with a soft and muddy bot-
tom, with the risk of sticking fast in them. At one
river, which the men pronounced to be too deep to
TIIK NET IN THE BAY. 313
(Irivo throngli, they hoisted my sister on their
Hhoiiklcrs, and so carricMl hur over. Sometimes,
where tlio lii^ditcr vehicle hud passed over, one of
the carts whicli followed with tents and haggago
wonld sticlv fast, cansing some delay ; or part of
the harness wonld give way, from the excessive
strain npon it in pulling through a nniddy creek :
bnt for such emergencies the men were always
prepared, and the damage was repaired so as to
carry ns on to the end ; for when people have only
their own resources to depend upon, they become
wonderfully fertile in expedients.
One other cause of anxiety was that, for part of
the way, we were passing through the country of
the ?ioux, a tribe of Indians proverbially treach-
erous and stealthy. Here the men were rather
afraid lest the smoke of the fires necessary for
boiling our kettle should betray us to them, for a
raid by night npon onr horses wonld have left us at
daybreak sorely perplexed. On the rolling prairies
we were as solitary as we had been before on the
lakes or rivers ; indeed, looking ont to the horizon,
it was almost like looking over the expanse of the
sea : there was the long grass waving where one
thought that thonsands of cattle might have pas-
tured for the food of man. Here and there we
came npon a site marked out for a future city, and
could only wish that many from onr overcrowded
populations were transported there to enjoy the
pure fresh air in a land only waiting to be planted
and sown. In the Old World, with its histories
311 Tlir NKT IN TIIR HAY.
aud ruins, it miglit sooin as if the end of ull thiiifjfs
was dravvinuj noar ; liero it Hoomod as if ull wus
only bo{^inning, — us if a j^rcut future might yet ))c
boforo the land.
Wo huvo boon tempted to say more of this part
of our journey us, from the advunco of ruilroads and
the rapid spread of population in these regions,
such travelling is even now becoming a thing of the
past. One or two more features of it may hero be
mentioned : — The prairie fires which wo sometimes
saw at no great distance from us, and which had
rather a threatening aspect. When we had tra-
velled over the track where they had been, we were
all in a decidedly grimy condition from the black
dust raised by the wheels. Over part of Minnesota,
too, the plague of the grasshopper or locust had
recently been, and every green thing was eaten up.
For our horses, we were dependent on grass and
water, and we had often to travel on till a late
hour in search of an encampment where these
requisites were to be found. We had, of course, to
carry all our provisions, as nothing coidd be pm*-
ciiased by the way ; but it was the season when
the prairie fowl were abundant, aud the ducks and
geese were going south, and the gun occasionally
replenished our larder. After a fortnight of such
travelling, the first sight of the straggling fences
as w^e approached the Ked River was not a little
w^elcome, and when one of the settlers, seeing our
tents pitched, came out to ask if he could do any-
thing for us, our one request — having caught sight
THE NET IN THE DAT. 31ft
of Ilia COWS fueding near — was for somo milk,
not having had any witli onr tea whilo on tho
jonrncy.
Tho weather fortunately had been fine for us
throughout, and without any serious difHculty we
reached our home. I had mentioned, on leaving it,
sixty weeks as tho probable time of my absence,
expressing a hope that 1 might be with them on
the sixty-first Sunday ; and it was surely tho good
liand of God which thus brought mo back on the
Saturday, and enabled mo to preach on the very
Sunday 1 had named.
# * * ♦ o
The year in England and the abundant occupa-
tions of the two following summers, necessarily
deferred the third visit to Moose until the year
18G0. On Epiphany day, January Gth, I had de-
livered my fourth Charge, but even before that I
had written to Mr. Horden, requesting that a canoe
and crew shoidd meet mo at Michipicoton on Lake
Superior, towards the end of June. I had fixed on
this route as now more expeditious and less expen-
sive ; the opportunities of communicating with
Moose were so few, that I had to make the arrange-
ments many months beforehand.
When the summer opened I left my home, this
time a small party of us with horses and a light
cart or two, for the provisions and baggage, to cross
the prairies to St. Paul's. The rivers as w^e ad-
vanced proved unusually high, and cost us at some
points considerable trouble. Thus on approaching
316 THE NET IN THE BAY.
the Buffalo River, we found it too much flooded to
pass over in the ordinary way ; tlio men, never dis-
concerted by difliculties, formed a raft by lashing
together the four wheels of the carts, upon whicli
they stretched a tarpauling, placing thereon my
small amount of luggage. My own young servant
then swam a horse across with a rope, the other end
of which was made ftist to the raft, and it was
pulled across ; on it I too passed over easily and
safely. Perhaps we were the more anxious, as
but a fortnight before two young men had lost
their lives in crossing this river. Thinking it an
easy matter, they had dashed boldly into the stream,
when getting alarmed at the rapidity of the current,
they checked their horses too suddenly, and thus
perished. All depends under such circumstances
on leaving the horse's head free. Thankful for
having accomplislied this, we spent the remainder
of the day in drying some of our things whicli had
got wetted in the transit : it was Saturday, and we
were not sorry to rest for the afternoon and prepare
for the next day's services. We had thus abun-
dance of time to contemplate the rapid current over
which we had effected our passage. Other rivers
were passed without the same amount of difficulty :
we generally made about fifty miles a-day, accom-
plishing the distance to St. Paul in ten days.
Leaving the horses here, I went down the Mis-
sissippi by steam to La Crosse, then by rail to
Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, and so on by the
chain of lakes to Sault St. Marie. It can scarcely
THE NET IN THE BAY. 317
be realized, except by those who have travelled on
tliat continent, how much the rivers and lakes
facilitate communication. Tlie sources of the Mis-
sissijjpi are not far from the head-waters of the Ked
River, and the chain of lakes or inland seas, with
Lake Superior at their head, runs up very nearly
to the same points. At Sault St. ]\Iarie, Mr. Wemyss
Simpson furnished us with a light boat, in which
we proceeded to jVIichipicoton.
The shores of Lake Superior are abruj^t, and
require great caution. The beautiful blue tint of
the water, and its extreme cold, even in summer,
were new features to us. On our way we visited
some of the copper-mines, and inspected their work :
it was then but a commencement, they have since
been much more largely developed. After a good
deid of delay w^e reached the mouth of the Michipi-
coton River ; turning in we made for the Fort, and our
object now was to ascertain whether we should have
to wait for the canoe which had been ordered so
many months before to meet us here, or whether it
might have anticipated us. On lifting up our eyes,
there was the canoe, and the men, whose faces I
recognized ; the singular thing was that they had
only reached about three o'clock, while we arrived
about five p.m. It was indeed most providential ;
the journey might be accomplished ten or twelve
times without once hitting it so closely.
Most cheerfully did the men prepare that night.
With the early morning we started, and made an
almost unprecedented run to ^loose. Except one
318 THE NET IN THE BAT.
made by the governor, Sir George Simpson, it was
perhaps the very shortest. My crew on this occasion
were all Christian Indians, choice and picked men
from Moose, and our services, night and morning,
were of the happiest description. We met on the
way the native catechist, Mr. John Mackay, who
had been of great service to Mr. Watkins and Mr.
Horden, and who was now on his way to rejoin his
aged father at the Red River Settlement. He after-
wards read there under my own immediate direc-
tion, and after ordination pit ceeded to the Saska-
tchewan to labour at Devon and Stanley. Mr.
Watkins had now left the Bay for another part of
the diocese.
There were also changes at the Fort. Mr. J.
Mackenzie was now in charge, but the welcome
was the same, and every facility Avas given to
enable me to carry out my objects. My visit being
necessarily shorter than before, Mr. Mackenzie con-
sented that one day in the following week (the
Wednesday) should be set apart for special ser-
vices : it was kept as a Sunday, and all work sus-
pended at the Fort. Mr. Fleming, whom I had
ordained deacon in England, had met me here. It
was very delightful to find the high degree of
respect and affection in which Mr. Horden and he
were held by all at Moose. Mr. Horden had the
same energy, the same versatility, the same admi-
nistrative power, as ever. Mr. Fleming had, in his
short ministry, gained the good-will of all ; but the
pain was finding him in weakened health. He had
THE NET IX THE BAY. 319
over-tfixcd his strength, and by too great exposure
to weather in travelling had brought on serious
illness. He liad suffered from lueniorrhage in the
spring, and it was deemed necessary that he sliould
return to England by tlie ship. "VVe still fondly
hoped that, with youth on his side, he miglit rally
and return to the work, or even, if not permitted
to undertake again the difficulties of missionaiy
life in a northern climate, tliat he might have years
of ministerial service at home. Under these cir-
cumstances, I could not hesitate as to carrying out
my original plan of admitting him to full orders.*
He was accordingly ordained priest, while Mr. Tho-
mas Vincent was admitted to deacon's orders, — a
service of no little interest to Mr. Horden and
myself. I preached on the occasion from Jeremiah,
vii. 1, * Say not I am a child, for thou shalt go to
all to whom I shall send thee ; and whatsoever I
command thee thou shalt speak.' Mr. Vincent had
been carefully prepared for ordination by Mr. Hor-
den, and had given proof of steadiness and zeal.
He had been for a time at Kupert's House, and was
now to be sent to Albany to take Mr. Fleming's
place. It was a pleasure to me to set him apart
for the ministry, having known him almost from
boyhood. From Mr. Fleming's state,, it was a day
of mingled feelings, but I trust those of joy predo-
♦ Soon after tliis IMr. Fleming went home, and for a
time soomed to improve in health, hut was never ahle for
ministerial work again, and died eventually under his
father's roof in Ireland.
320 THE NET IN THE BAY.
miiiated at the sight of a growing work. The same
day I held a confirmation, when fifteen were con-
firmed speaking the Indian tongue only, and four-
teen who could be examined in the English lan-
gua^'e. This was now coveted as a distinction, and
regarded as a mark of advance.
Mr. Horden had by this time become fully
acquainted with the whole of the district, and
we had much deliberation regarding the different
stations to be visited by himself and Mr. Vincent,
and the best means of carrying out the work.
Some native teachers were also specially com-
mended, — the good and fixithful Oolikishish at
Moose, and Isaac Hardisty, who had from the first
'been of groat use at Albany. ' Of a third, Jacob
Matanishkum, Mr. Horden spoke most highly, as
having assisted in the good work at Rupert
House.
Much I could have wished to prolong my stay,
but I felt that the main purposes of my visit had
been accomj)lished, and the outline of future work
arranged. A church was in progress, but not ready
for consecration ; nor could I c n this occasion go
on to Albany or Rupert's House, as I had once
hoped to do. I therefore made ready to start by
the same route with my trusty native crew, and,
after leaving them, my plan was to go to Quebec,
where I met my two yoimger sons, who came out
from England to spend their holiday with me in
Canada. Very happy was the meeting, and the
short period thus spent together. It was the time
rrii!; net ix the day, 321
of tlio Prince of Wixlus's visit to Ciinada, and at
Montreal T was able to present to liis Uoyal Jiigli-
nesa loyal addresses which had been sent to nic
from my own diocese, from the (Jovenior and Coun-
cil, from the clergy, and also a special one from the
Indians. The idea had been entertained that the
Prince might be indnced to extend his jonrney
westward, and in tlie addresses a hearty welcome
was promised ; but his Koyal Highness professed
his inability to proceed farther at this time.
liut this pleasant episode was soon over, and my
sons had to recross the Atlantic, while I turned
my face once more towards my homo in the far
West.
This sketch being professedly concerned only
with Moose and the surrounding missions, does not
touch upon the work in other parts of the diocese.
The growth along the Saskatchewan and English
llivers, the founding of the missions at Fcu't Simp-
son on the Mackenzie llivei', or the yet more dis-
tant Youcon, do not appear in these pages. Lai'ge
expansion had taken place in these regions which
involved much of anxious thought. The churclies,
too, on the lied Uiver and the Assiniboine liad
become more numerous. We had found five clergy-
men in the diocese on our arrival in 1849, and now
there were mcn-e thai; twenty. The care of all the
churches became year by year more weighty, and,
when another seven years had been fulfilled, the
thought sometimes crossed tlu; mind that it might
322 THE \r;T in tiif;; hay.
])crchance l>c cxpcdioiif to commit the work to
youiigor hands. The present narrative would in
itself he suilieient to show that full vigour and elas
ticity were requisite for such travelling l)y land or
water ; and to these, let it be remembered, were
superadded journeys to l"'airford over the snow, and
boat tri])s to other parts of the country. Of any
serious loss of health I could not complain, but
years were creeping on, and of the effect of this
growing anxiety I could not but feel conscious.
I had at all events ])romised to re-visit England
at the end of the seven years, and, anxious to leave
all in f\dl orders, I had held an ordination in the
summer of 18G3, in some of its features the most
interesting of any I had ever had. It was the
largest in number, and the four ordained were all
of them born in the country, and immediately after
ordination they separated to spots fiir removed
from each other. Mr. Thomas Vincent, who had
been sunjmoned from Albany for the pvu'pose, was
one of those ordained priest. Under these circum-
stances it was with a measure of imcertainty that
with the opening year I delivered my Fifth, which
proved to be my final Charge. Many had the im-
pression that it would be so, though little was
said.
In the early summer of 18G4 we started by the
prairie route. We found the rivers providentially
very dilierent to what they had been when I wjis
alone. The very river which had cost us so
much diliiculty and troul)le then, was now so low
« *
TIIK NET IN THE HAY. 323
as to allow my sister and party to drive tlin^igli it
easily. Our jouriiuy too was shortened by finding
the railway advanced considerably to the north of
St. Paul. In passing through Canada I was able
to spend a few hours with the bishop and clergy of
the diocese of Huron assembled in Synod at Lon-
don. It was an evident sign of growth to see in
the most western of the Canadian dioceses, the good
bishop surrounded by seventy (»f his clergy. I^^i'oni
(Quebec our jxissage was singularly smooth and
delightful, and we reached England about tiie
middle of Jnly.
' * *■ # # * '
Into all the I'easons which inllucnced my ulti-
mate decision it is imjmssible here to enter. Sullice
it to say, that I came at last to the resolution to
resign my bishopric into the hands of the Arch-
bishop, soon after which l)i:jliop Machray w^as ap-
pointed as my successor, and consecrated at Lam-
beth in Jannary 1805.
That year Mi*. Horden came to I'^ngland after
fourteen vears of unceasinu' labour abroad ; lie e\-
cited large interest in his work wherever he went.
After his return to Moose, the JJishop of Uupert's
Land paid his first visit there, and was as favour-
ably impressed with all as T liad ever been. In his
letters he enlarged nnich on the completeness and
thoroughness of the work. At Moose he found all
in a measure settled : the traces of heathenism had
disappeared. Xo very huge number were eou-
lirmod — so many having been presented ou my
32 i TUT NET IN THE DAY.
jmjvious visitH. But ho {Mwsod onward to Uiiport'w
Jfoiiso, wlioro 1 li.id never been, and there found as
many an seventy-ei^'ht waitin.i;' Confirmation. 1 1 is
own words in referring to this are not a little
striking, that ' lie had never confirmed t.ny i)orsons
to whom less oj)[)ortunity for instruction had been
afforded, and that he had never confirmed with a
more pk:'.."'Mg feeling that suilieient l\nowledge was
l»ossessed.' Here there is now a church with sixty
connnunicants.
But i)erhai)s the best proof of a genuine work is
iiHoi'ded by the fact that it si)reads not alone by
the minister or catecliist, but by means of the
Indians tliemsclves. Thus ^fr. Horden wrote from
r>i-unswiek, an out-lying ])Ost in anothei' dii'cction :
' What is so deeply interesting in these Indians is
that before they had seen a minister they had held
meetings for religious ^vorship, having received
some knowledge of Christian practice from Indians
who had themselves had a little instruction.' Such
instances arc reported from other [)laces as well.
To ourselves, rcmendjoi'ing only Moose as the
one sj)ot of light, it is delightful to hear of llupert's
House and Brunswick : to find also that at Mataw-
akunnuc, thci'C is a church with devoiit connnuni
cants, and thiii, they, out of their poverty, had
contributed for a church-bell and communion-plate;
to liear too that at Little AVhale lliver, nearly GOO
miles N.K. of Moose, the gospel is making progress,
although the visits tliere can l^e but raiv. <>n the
last (occasion, wlien llie bishoji visited tiic Bay,
THE NET IX TflE J5AV. 325
fiftocnof tlio Es(|niinanx nativoH from hovond iliat
s]K)t wci'o roccivod into tlio visihlu cliiirch by
Impiisin. Surely siicli iiu iiitcrcstiun' and long-
iicgluctcd })C()])lu sliould and must have a missionary
devoted to tliem. And may it not 1)0 tliat l»y
these pages the Holy Spirit may stir up some youny
man to oiler himself, wlio might ae([uire the language
as readily as Mr. llorclen did that of the Indians.
So the seed was uncpiestionably growing: one
might almost say one knowcth not how. God was
visibly blessing the alnnuhint labour bestowed, but
far beyond that, lie was marking the worlv as His
own, by nniltiplying the seed sown, and eausing it
to H])ring up in unlooked-for quarters. How small
the amount of insti"uetion that could be given to
the Indians over so wide an area, and yet might
not their progress often shame those with greater
privileges.
There only remains one further step in advance
to be noticed, and that was taken when the Bishoi)
Inmself visited EngLmd in 1 i.oiujbLl and exhuitutioji, the iiu\. llenn \cn)i,
THR NRT IN TIIK HAY. 327
and T^ipoi-t'H T.iind were !)»•( night together, ro now
Ningjx) iind MooHonec, tlio far Kiist and far Went
once more. Intenncdiutc between these Manritiiis,
tlie island of mixed nationalities, on tiie ocean high-
way. Snch were the three to be ciMisecrated, span-
ning in measnre the world — Bishop Uussell, Bishop
I'oyston, and Bisho[) llordcn.
In the eiglit consecrating, there was also mnch
that was snggestive. The 1 lonie ^]piseo])ate was re-
presented by the Primate, and the Bishoi)S of London
and llochester : Sierra Leone was represented by
its bishop, the fiftli already in too rapid snccession :
St. Helena and Colombo were seen in r>ishop
Clanghton — Bishop ilyan, first i*)ishop of Manri-
this assisting in consecrating the fonrth Bishop of
that See, while 1 was permitted to join in conse-
crating, as first Bishop of Moosonee, him whom T
had ordained deacon and priest twenty years before.
And to complete the whole, there w\as the vener-
able Bishop of Ohio joining on the part of our
Sister Churcli in the United States in the solemn
act.
How fitting a commencement of the week of
special intercession, a service which could not have
taken place even five-and-twenty years before !
simrcd to rejoice over the Consecration in the Abbey and
(be ])ay of Intercession, lias since been called to bis rest
and reward. AVbat an example of life-long labour devoted
to one great and good cause ! What a world-wide inriuence
extending to the remotest station of the Cliurcli's mission -
ai y work !
;J'J8 TlIK NET IX TIIR DAV.
(Quickly (looM Huch a day i)XiH ; in tlio crow*! of
cvcntH of lliis too busy a^o, it paHwuH and its record
is soon for;j,ottcn. IJiit dou.s it not mark to the
tluMiglitfnl, to tlioHC wiio discern llio times, an era?
Does it not answer tlie prayers of yeai's of work
and hope? is it not ricli in Messed anticipations of
tlio futnre ?
To myself tlie consecration of December 1S72
more lliaa rcidizes and fuilils every day-dream of
LONDOy :
Trintcd liy JoirN ;vr'' vNiiKWAv;-, C;i:11i :''. Lolc(:-tor Sii-