£8 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



At noon, on the 29th, after passing through the remainder of 

 Holey Lake, we entered the Weepinapannis, a narrow grassy river, 

 which runs parallel to the lake for a considerable distance, and forms 

 its south bank into a narrow peninsula. In the morning we arrived 

 at the Swampy Portage, where two of the boats were broken against 



the rocks. The length of the day's voyage was nineteen miles and 

 a half. 



In consequence of the accident yesterday evening, we were de- 

 tained a considerable time this morning, until the boats were re- 

 paired, when we set out, and, after ascending a strong rapid, arrived 

 at the Portage by John Moore's Island. Here the river rushes with 

 irresistible force through the channels formed by two rocky islands ; 

 and we learnt, that last year a poor man, in hauling a boat up one of 

 these channels, was, by the breaking of the line, precipitated into the 

 stream and hurried down the cascade with such rapidity, that all 

 efforts to save him were ineffectual. His body was afterwards found 

 and interred near the spot. 



The Weepinapannis is composed of several branches which separate 

 and unite, again and again, intersecting the country in a great variety 

 of directions. We pursued the principal channel, and having passed 

 the Crooked Spout, with several inferior rapids, and crossed a small 

 piece of water, named Windy Lake, we entered a smooth deep stream 

 about three hundred yards wide, which has got the absurd appellation 

 of the Rabbit Ground. The marshy banks of this river are skirted 

 by low barren rocks, behind which there are some groups of stunted 

 trees. As we advanced, the country becoming flatter, gradually 

 opened to our view, and we at length arrived at a shallow, reedy 

 lake, the direct course through which leads to the Hill Portage. 

 This route has, however, of late years been disused, and we therefore 

 turned towards the north, and crossing a small arm of the lake, ar- 

 rived at Hill Gates by sunset ; having come this day eleven miles. 



October 1.— Hill Gates is the name imposed on a romantic defile 



