The fate of this boy was singular.  He set out alone to return to Sault Ste. Marie, where his relations lived, across the wilderness.  After striking the main land, his companions returned.  All that was ever heard of him afterwards, was the report of Indians whom I sent to follow his trail, as the season opened, who found a spot where he had attempted, unsuccessfully, to strike a fire and encamp.  From obscure Indian reports from the channels called Chenos, the Indians there had been alarmed by news of the inroads of Na-do-was (Iroquois), and seeing some one on the shore, in a questionable plight, they fired and killed him.  This is supposed to have been Thomas Shepard.

19th.  Wind westerly—­chilly—­cloudy—­dark.

20th.  The “Austerlitz,” and “Prince Eugene,” two of Mr. Newbery’s vessels, arrived during the afternoon.  Rain fell in the evening.

21st.  The schooner “Nancy Dousman” arrived in the morning from below.  A change of weather supervened.  Wind N.E., with snow.  The ground is covered with it to the depth of one or two inches.  Water frozen, giving a sad check to vegetation.

22d.  This morning develops a north-east storm, during which the “Nancy Dousman” is wrecked, but all the cargo saved:  a proof that the harbor is no refuge from a north-easter.  The wind abates in the evening.

23d.  Wind west, cloudy, rainy, and some sleet.  About midnight the schooner “Oregon” came in, having rode out the tempest under Point St. Ignace.

24th.  Still cold and backward, the air not having recovered its equilibrium since the late storm.

25th.  Cloudy and cold—­flurries of snow during the day.

26th.  The weather recovers its warm tone, giving a calm sky and clear sunshine.  The snow of the 21st rapidly disappears, and by noon is quite gone, and the weather is quite pleasant.  The vessels in the harbor continue their voyages.

27th.  S. A boat reaches us from the Sault, showing the Straits and River St. Mary to be open.  It brought the Rev. Mr. Clark, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who occupies Mr. F.’s position, before the soldiery, in the evening.

28th.  The atmosphere is still overcast, although the thermometer ranges high.

Levake, a trader for the Indian country, went off about two o’clock P.M.  On granting him his license, I directed him to take no ardent spirits.  He therefore ordered a barrel of whisky to be taken back to the American Fur Company’s store, where he had purchased it.  Mr. Abbot, the agent, sent it back to him.  Mr. Levake finally remanded it.  Mr. Abbot said, “Why!  Mr. Schoolcraft has no authority to prevent your taking it!” The moment, in fact, the boats leave the island they enter the Indian country, where the act provides that this article shall not be taken on any pretence.  This was an open triumph of the Agent of the United States against the Fur Company.  I wrote to the Rev. Mr. Boutwell, at Leech Lake, by this opportunity.