on them to produce steam, and a blanket thrown over the sapling frame
to confine the steam. The Indians have great faith in this treatment
as a cure for almost every malady.

On the mainland opposite the island upon which we were encamped was a
barren hill which we climbed, and which commanded a view of a large
expanse of country. On the top was a small cairn and several places
where fires had been made--no doubt Indian signal fires. The fuel for
them must have been carried from the valley below, for not a stick or
bush grew on the hill itself. "Signal Hill," as we called it, is the
highest elevation for many miles around and a noticeable landmark.

To the northward, at our feet, were two small lakes, and just beyond,
trending somewhat to the northwest, was a long lake reaching up
through the valley until it was lost in the low hills and sparse
growth of trees beyond. Great bowlders were strewn indiscriminately
everywhere, and the whole country was most barren and desolate. To
the south of Michikamats was the stretch of flat swamp land which
extended to Michikaman. Petscapiskau, a prominent and rugged peak on
the west shore of Michikamau near its upper end, stood out against the
distant horizon, a lone sentinel of the wilderness.

The head waters of the George River must now be located. There was
nothing to guide me in the search, and the Indians at Northwest River
had warned us that we were liable at this point to be led astray by an
entanglement of lakes, but I felt certain that any water flowing
northward that we might come to, in this longitude, would either be
the river itself or a tributary of it, and that some such stream would
certainly be found as soon as the divide was crossed.