LAKE SUPERIOR. 53 



water from her propeller, and carrying us in fine 

 style past Pointe aitx Pins^ nearly ten miles of our 

 route. 



Having left her, as our course now lay more to 

 the northward, we managed with hard rowing, very- 

 different from our previous gallant progress, to 

 reacli Pointe aux Chmes or Oak Point, in time 

 for dinner. Looming up at the distance of about 

 six miles, rose abruptly to the height of five hun- 

 dred feet the bold promontory of Gros Cap^ its 

 round head enveloped in driving fog. A scanty 

 verdure of pines and firs covering its sides, it stood 

 out a bold landmark, being the first high land of the 

 northern shore. 



About half-way between Pointe aux Chfenes and 

 Gros Cap lies a low and narrow island, covered with 

 small trees and underbrush, furnishing an admirable 

 camping-ground ; and the wind increasing as the 

 fog descended, crawling slowly down the mountain 

 sides, we could advance no further. 



All day long canoes filled with Indians, taking 

 advantage of the to them favorable wind, passed us 

 on their way to a grand council at Mitane. It was 

 wonderful where they could all come from; the 

 men seemed to carry their wives, papooses, and 

 household gods, and were accompanied by number- 

 less dogs that ran along the shore ; one party con- 

 sisted of a squaw seated at the bow to paddle, ano- 

 ther in the stern to steer, and a brave amidships 

 fast asleep ; the canoe was propelled by a blanket, 

 used as a sail. The Indians exhibit great skill in 



