CHAP. vn. MICHEL S DESCRIPTION OF THE UPPER COUNTRY. 105 



beautiful than the first, but not so difficult to pass. The 

 rocks, rising 600 to 800 feet above the river, are of a 

 deep purple hue, and sometimes exquisitely adorned 

 with thin lines of birch and spruce, following cracks or 

 lines of fracture. 



Before entering the second Gorge, one of the canoes 

 was nearly smashed, and had not the men jumped into 

 the river, the least we might have had to deplore would 

 have been a broken canoe and wetted baggage. As 

 it was, the frail vessel was so much strained, and opened 

 so freely at the seams, that it became necessary to gum 

 her, which delayed us for more than an hour. 



I had now time to examine Michel, and, by means 

 of Louis' good offices, to obtain some information from 

 him respecting the country through which we were about 

 to pass. 



' Where did you winter, Michel ? ' 



' Near where the water flows the other wayi' 



* How many portages are there before we get to your 

 winter quarters ? ' 



' Three tens and one nine.' 



' Does he mean thirty-nine ? ' He held up both hands 

 four times, and put one finger down the last time. 'That 

 is thirty-nine, eh ? ' 



' Perhaps I suppose.' 



' Can't you count, Louis ? ' 



' Quite enough for Indian,' replied the imperturbable 

 Montagnais. 



' Where did he winter the year before last ? ' 



'On the Esquimaux Eiver, near Esquimaux Bay' 

 (Hamilton Inlet). 



