Sunday, August 23rd.—­West wind.  Rain and clear by spells.  Drank last of chocolate—­two pots—­for breakfast.  Dried blankets in a sunny spell, and about 10 A.M. started.  Coming to point round which we expected to get view of lake ahead—­“Like going into a room where there is a Christmas tree,” said George.  Narrow channel around point 2 1/2 miles from east end.  Thence we saw a long stretch of lake running west.  Believe it Michikamau’s S.E. bay sure.  Mighty glad.  Ate boiled dried caribou, pea soup, tea.  Dried caribou hurts our teeth badly.  Went west 2 1/2 miles and climbed barren hill on north side of lake.  Ate blue berries, bake-apple berries, and moss berries.  Saw on north, water in big and little masses, also on N.W. many islands of drift, rocky and spruce clad.  One long stretch of lake, like a river, runs east and west, about 2 miles north.  Wonder if it is Low’s Northwest River.  Went west on our lake 3 miles.  Caught a fish like pike, with big square head, 3 1/2 lbs.  Found our lake ends, stream falling in from another lake west.  Came back 2 miles to outlet into waters north.  Camped.  All feel bully.  On Michikamau waters sure.

Monday, August 24th.—­Rain, north wind, cold.  In camp all day.  Bad head wind.  George and I scouted.  All restless at inactivity but George.  He calm, philosophical, cheerful, and hopeful always—­ a wonderful man.

Tuesday, August 25th.—­Cold N.E. wind.  Rain.  Made start.  Nasty portage into Northwest River (?).  Wallace turned round and started to carry his pack back.  Wind fair part of time.  Part of time dangerously heavy.  Landed on point running out from north shore.  Wigwam poles.  Have diarrhoea.  All chilled.  Not sure of way ahead, but not worried.  Camped at 5 P.M.  Nice camp in clump of balsam.  Not craving bread so much.  Idleness and a chance to think make us hungrier.  Flies about gone.  Proverb—­On a wet day build a big fire.

Wednesday, August 26th.—­Temp. at 5 A.M. 40 degrees.  Bright and clear save for one shower in P.M.  Started happy.  Shot goose with pistol after long chase.  Goose would dive repeatedly.  Shot several times at rather long range.  Paddled 20 to 25 miles on big lake running east and west.  No outlet west.  Came back blue and discouraged.  Passed our camp of last night to climb a mountain on N.E. side.  Caught very pretty 2-lb. pike trolling.  Wallace and I got supper.  George went to climb mountain, found river this side (west) of mountain, running into this lake from N.W.  What is it?  Low’s Northwest River?  Can’t see what else.  Glad again.  Very hopeful.  Sick and very weak.  Diarrhoea.  Pea meal and venison and goose liquor.  Better.  Bright northern lights.