fight with the mosquitoes had been horrible indeed. They seemed to
come out of the ground. When despair of getting any sleep had
taken possession of me, I turned with such calmness as I could
muster to the task of killing them off. By diligent application I
hoped in the end to secure a little respite. To interest myself I
began to count my kill; but when it had reached one hundred and
fifty, and yet they came, I gave it up. I was still busy when the
morning light came to reveal hundreds of the vicious little beasts
clinging to the slope of my tent.

At breakfast I learned that the men had fared little better.
Usually they had the advantage of me where mosquitoes were
concerned, for with four pipes going in the tent the mosquitoes had
little chance; but that night pipes were of no avail, and there,
too, the mosquitoes were master of the situation.

On Tuesday it rained, and we did not break camp till the following
morning, when at 9 A.M. we were off for Lake Michikamau.
Travelling was now much less difficult than it had been, though the
river continued rapid. Our course, a few miles above Seal Lake,
turned directly west, and as we entered Lake Wachesknipi high hills
appeared ahead, showing deepest blue and purple under the cloudy
sky. Again we made nineteen miles, taking on the way one
partridge, two geese, and a muskrat, and camping in the evening at
the foot of Red Rock Hill. Here we were destined to remain for two
days on account of storms of wind and rain.

How I disliked the rainy days, for I was not very patient of delay.
There was little one could do in camp, and lounging in a tent when
you are not tired has few redeeming features.