38 DISTRIBUTION OF THE LOADINGS. 



An entire day was now devoted to the exa- 

 mining and repacking of our various stores and 

 instruments. Our " North Canoe," brought from 

 Montreal, was also repaired ; for, lumbered as we 

 were with provisions, it was found impracticable 

 to ascend the shallow waters of the Kamines- 

 tiquoia without taking her, in addition to the 

 two new ones ; and I did this the less reluc- 

 tantly, as no extra expense was thus incurred, and 

 there were hands enough to manage the three. 



The Canadian voyageur is, in all respects, 

 a peculiar character ; and on no point is he 

 more sensitive, or, rather, to use an expressive 

 term, more touchy, than in the just distribution 

 of "pieces" among the several canoes form- 

 ing a party. It must be admitted, at the same 

 time, that he has very substantial reasons for 

 being particular in this matter, for he well knows 

 that, supposing the canoes to be in other re- 

 spects equally matched, a very small inequality 

 of weight will make a considerable difference in 

 their relative speed, and will occasion, moreover, 

 a longer detention at the portages. The usual 

 mode is for the guide to separate the pieces, 

 and then to distribute or portion them out by 

 lots, holding in his hand little sticks of different 

 lengths, which the leading men draw. From 

 the decision so made there is no appeal, and 

 the parties go away laughing or grumbling 



