Blew a perfect storm in the night, but calm overcast mild soft weather during the day. Had part of the men repairing and gumming a canoe & making paddles, the others packing up Appechimons, dressed leather, Robes, Saddles &c making in all 18 pieces or about 2/3 a canoe load, which is all in readiness to start tomorrow, for the Coeur de Alan portage. I intend going myself, with 6 men, to proceed to Spokan. I expect we will reach the portage before the River freezes but we will probably have to walk back.--I am induced to take this trip in consequence of Mr. Dease expressing a wish that either Mr. Kittson or I would visit him.--Mr. Kittson remains in charge of the place. Wed.y. 4th Some frost in the night. Cloudy fine weather during the day. Left F. Head haven 20 Minutes before 8 oclock in a canoe with 8 Men. Iroquoys, reached the Chutes[256] 20 minutes past 10. Making the portage, which is 1380 yds. long, took more than 2 hours.--At 2 oclock we reached the canoes the men left a few days ago and encamped to change our canoe for a better one. The men were employed till it was dark gumming the canoes we are going to take. The canoe though not deep laden is a good deal lumbered, the saddles & appechimons take up a good deal of room. There is not much snow. a little ice along the edge of the River & on the banks. The ice that stopped the men going up is all gone. Two parrefliches & a little meat which the men left in cache is stolen by the Indians.-- Thursday 5th Overcast soft weather. Proceeded on our journey at 1/2 past 6 oclock, reached Stony island portage at 10 & 1/2 past 10 got across it, the canoe taken down by water, by one oclock we reached the Heron Rapid,[257] the portage here also occupied half an hour. the canoe & part of the baggage got down by water. At 1/2 past 3 encamped near the Lake. A good days work. The snow is deep at the portage we passed, and also where we are encamped but it is soft and thawing.--It is difficult making the portage as the track is through rough stones & the hollows being filled up with the snow, the men with the loads tumble into the holes before they are aware. Friday 6th Stormy weather with heavy rain, rained hard in the night. Embarked at day light and in an hour reached the Lake[258] where we encamped and had to remain all day it being it being too rough to attempt crossing it. Saturday 7 Stormy with rain in the night. Moderate mild weather with some rain during the day. Embarked at 8 oclock and reached the portage[259] at 3 in the afternoon when the goods were laid up & covered, but it being too late deferred starting for the Fort till tomorrow. Killed a small deer crossing the River. Sunday 8 Soft weather with disagreeable sleet & snow showers.--