attempt to cross Lake Superior on my return, after August, on account of the commencement of the windy season about the close of that month, as to induce me, conceiving that I had not a day to lose, to alter some public appointments of duty at Quebec, in order to set out a week earlier than the time which I had originally fixed. On Lake Superior itself, it is specially necessary, at all seasons, not to lose any favourable weather for proceeding,—the liability of detention, in the case of travellers by canoe, being very great. With, perhaps, this exception, I could undertake the journey, if I had to repeat it, without infringing on the repose of the Sabbath. The canoe-men, who were all Romanists, were given to understand that they had the 7 A young gentleman, who left Quebec after my return, to proceed, in the Company's service, to the territory, was two months in reaching Fort William, about half the journey to the Red River. option of attending our services, when the circumstances under which we performed them left it practicable; but there was only one among them who ever availed himself of this invitation. He did so at one of the posts. Had they wished it, the service would have been performed to them in French. XI. Evening of the same Sunday on the Shores of Lake Superior. The Tabernacle of Witness. THE Sabbath sinks beneath the shades of night; Yet, ere it pass, within our canvass screen Once more we turn to Heaven, with ampler rite, This waste and howling wilderness the scene. O how unlike our mouldy temple mean, Where three are met to lift their hearts and hands, On blankets spread for beds, with chest between, On which their single candle flickering stands. O how unlike the place where Israel's bands By thousands pour'd, in wilderness of yore! |