CHAP. in. MOXTAGXAIS AND CREE DIALECTS. 33 



' Mista-kapitagan.' 



Even the names of rivers in the Montagnais dialect of 

 the Cree language on the Gulf of St. Lawrence so 

 closely resemble those at the foot of the Eocky Moun- 

 tains, 3,000 miles distant, that anyone, although almost 

 unacquainted with the tongue, may recognise the simi- 

 larity of the dialects, and affirm them to be of the same 

 origin without any evidence beyond what his ears afford 

 in casual conversation. 



At ordinary water levels, such as those of summer, 

 canoes can ascend to the foot of the Grand Eapids, and 

 strike at once the point which we were two days and a half 

 in attaining. In autumn it would be an easy task to start 

 from the fishing station at the mouth of the river, and 

 reach the foot of the Eapids in one day with light 

 canoes. 



The south end of the Portage is a fine situation for 

 a camp, surrounded on three sides by steep hills between 

 300 and 400 feet high, partly clothed with forest trees, 

 and partly consisting of bare rock. It is superior as a 

 salmon-fishing station, for those who are fond of indulging 

 in that attractive pastime, to either of the lower stations, 

 and it is near the limits of the region explored in modern 

 times by civilised man. 



Beyond the Grand Portage the country is undescribed, 

 although there is reason to believe that the early Jesuit 

 missionaries had a station on the summit of this stupendous 

 barrier. Evidences of their presence there at a very early 

 period will be given farther on ; but in the country lying 

 to the north we found no trace of their having been up 

 the valley of the Moisie Eiver. 



VOL. i. D 



