June 16, 1793. Our Dog.

June 16, 1793. (Day 39) . 227 Years Ago, To-day.

     

“The fine weather continued, and we began our work, as we had done the preceding day; some were occupied in opening a road, others were carrying, and the rest employed in conducting the canoe.”

“I...ordered Mr. MacKay...to penetrate to the great river.” Of course he doesn’t know yet that the “great river” he is anticipating and soon coming to, is actually the MacGregor River. It is quite large and a navigable river, but not as “great” as the Fraser that it will also soon meet. 

Picture 1. Top of image is N. They are coming down from upper left, to the Low, Swampy Country at centre. The MacGregor flows in from the top right.

     “Almost impenetrable wood..., our dog, which was following them, fell in, and it was with great difficulty that he was saved…”

     Our dog. Although he doesn’t mention the dog every day, and has never bothered to name it, it certainly has a role to play in this expedition and would have been sorely missed had it drowned. Anyone who would like to find out more about “our dog” could read this book, “A Dog Came Too”, by Ainslie Manson.  http://ainsliemanson.ca/a-dog-came-too/ 

Mr. MacKay and the men who went ahead to scout the path were always on the lookout for game, and anything they could shoot or catch was a welcome addition to the kettle.  

Picture 2. A smaller size Fur Trade Brass Kettle, 18th Century.

   

      “They brought with them two geese, which had been shot in the course of their expedition. To add to our perplexities and embarassments, we were persecuted by mosquitoes and sandf-flies, through the whole of the day.”

     Imagine camping in these deep woods without your Off!     

     “The extent of our journey was not more than two miles South-East; and so much fatigue and pain had been suffered...murmurs prevailed among them, of which, however, I took no notice.”

     Everyone is just sick and tired of trying to get down this bad river. And as if the bugs and excessive toil weren’t problem enough; “Excessive heat prevailed throughout the day.” 

      Freezing one day, overheating the next.

     “When we were assembled for the night, I gave each of them a dram, and in a short time they retired to the respose which they so much required.”