once flourishing spot and adjoining is an extensive plane or Meadow on which much Timothy Hay grows[.] An Island in the lake near this place swarms with snakes which the Canadians believe were conjured by the Jesuits from their own residence[.] Lake S^t John is shallow with a sandy Bottom[.] Small white fish, Doré Pike and a sort of fish resembling salmon one & a half foot long and called by the Indians Winanis are found in it though not in great numbers.

Having set out from Lake S^t John on the 8^th we got to Assuapmousoin on the 14^th[.] The distance between these places is sixty leagues of most unchristian like Country[.] [O]n both sides of the River the bank was high & scraggy and not even a wild berry to be met with all the way[.] [A] few dwarf spruce trees scattered here and there were the only production of this most barren part of the world that we could see and our ears were charmed by no other music than the hissing of snakes which whenever we went on shore sallied forth from the Crevices of the rocks to wag their long Tails before us or twist them around our feet. We made eighteen portages – the paddle was seldom used & the setting Pole took place of it the most of the road[.]

The

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