MR CORMACK’S EXPEDITION. 263

recently returned, I will now only lay before you a brief outline of my expedition in search of the B030- thics, or Red Indians, confining my remarks exclu- sively to its primary object.

“ My party consisted of three Indians, whom I procured from among the other tribes ; the first, an intelligent and able man of the Abenakee tribe, from Canada ; an elderly mountaineer from Labrador ; and an adventurous young Micmac, a native of the island, together with myself. It was difficult to obtain men fit for the purpose ; and the trouble attendant on this, prevented my entering on the expedition a month earlier in the season. It was my intention to have commenced our search at ll’llite Bay, which is nearer the northern extremity of the island than where we did; but the weather not permitting to carry my party thither by water, after several days’ delay, I unwillingly changed my line of route.

“ On the 31st October, 1827, we entered the coun- try at the mouth of the river Exploits, on the north side, at the branch called the Northern Arm; we took a north-westerly direction, which led us to Hall’s Bay, through an almost uninterrupted forest, and over a hilly country, in eight days. This tract includes the interior country, extending from New Bay, Badger Bay, Seal Bay, &c., being minor bays

branching from Notre Dame Bay, and well known to have been heretofore always the summer residences of the Red Indians.

“ On the fourth day after our departure, at the east end of Badger Bay, Great Lake, at a portage