Oct. 4. Up at sunrise & started E. along the cutting again as soon as breakfast over & animal packed. Ascended a ridge ...ably? E. of Summit Lake which appears to be the highest point passed over by the line & from which an extensive view of the cutting E & West. Travelled on with considerable difficulty to Farquhar Lake, passing round by a very slim pack trail, several long lakes which the line cuts across. The US. party had crossed Farquhar lake by means of a raft & cut a short piece of line on the E. side. No trail however cut out round this lake, & as it was known to extend a good way N. & E. of the line, & to merge into swamps &c. it was a matter of doubt from the first how we were to pass it, or whether with the time & means at our disposal we could pass it at all. Had heard however of a narrow place S. of the line about a mile, which the indians had reported fordable for horses. On arriving at lake made for this spot & by "worming" along through the brulÈ &c managed to reach it. The strait proved to be more than 100 yards across the sides fringed with reeds & rushes & a lane of open water in the middle. Found the bottom in most places hard, but could not find any place shallow enough to ford. Choosing a point of Rosean grass (Phragmites communis) which grew out among the rushes. I pushed ìSamsonî in till he began to loose his footing, & finding him not at all afraid urged him on till he took to swimming & in a few moments reached the other side safe & sound, but wet up to the waist &


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