[RJCE] wild turkeys. Millions of pigeons darkened

[Novad R. <imp...@cl...>]

Ave_. He admires the profusion of walnuts, chestnuts, wild apples and
plums. Bears were fatter and better to the palate than the most "savory"
pigs in France. Deer wandered in herds of 50 to 100. Sometimes even 200
would be seen feeding together. In his enthusiasm the good priest calls
this region "the terrestrial paradise of Canada." Fortunately for the
explorers, the winter was as mild at Port Dover as it was severe at
Montreal. Patterson's Creek was however still frozen over on the 26th
March, when, having portaged their goods and canoes to the lake, they
embarked to resume their westward journey. They had to pass two streams
before they arrived at the sand beach which connected Long Point with
the mainland. To effect the first crossing they walked four leagues
inland before they found a satisfactory spot. To cross Big Creek, they
were obliged to spend a whole day constructing a raft. They were further
delayed by a prolonged snow storm and a strong north wind. On the west
bank was a meadow more than 200 paces wide, in passing over which they
were immersed to their girdles in mud and slash. Arriving at the sandy
ridge which then connected Long Point with the mainland, they found the
lake on the other side full of floating ice, and concluded that their
companions had not ventured to proceed in their frail barques. They
encamped near the sandbar and waited for the canoes, which had doubtless
been delayed by the weather. The missionaries put themselves on short
rations in order to permit