[GARRY] DIARY OF NICHOLAS GARRY 99 
about which the Canadians are very superstitious. Many years since 
some Coureurs des Bois, the Name by which the first French Hunters 
were designated, had a Contest with some Indians and were beaten. In 
their Retreat they landed on this Island with a wounded man, but they 
now found the Indians were close upon them. This forced them to get 
into their Canoe and run the Rapid and thus they escaped. The poor 
wounded man was left behind and on their Return they found he was 
dead. ‘hey then buried him in this Spot and he became a sort of Saint, 
and though he could neither read nor write many songs and phrases are 
extant which, it is said, he composed. After passing the Grand 
Calumet the River narrows. Passed a high Rock—then the 
Banks are low and | illegible] and covered with the Black Pine. At one 
we dined under some beautiful Oaks but the Bites of the Mosquitoes 
prevented Appetite. At 6 o’clock we arrived at Fort Coulange a Post 
belonging to the North West [Company] under the Direction of a Mr. 
Godin. We passed here an Encampment of Indians—Algonquins. They 
were a dirty looking People—their Hair very much greased to keep off 
the Musquitoes; almost tempted to borrow their Grease. From Fort 
Coulange the S. Side is mountainous, on the N. Sand Hills. At nine we 
encamped on a small Island about 15 miles from Fort Coulange. 
Sunday the 17th [June]. At two o’clock the Sound of “ Embar- 
quez ” awoke me. In half an hour we were on board the Canoe. It 
being necessary to place the Poles of the Tent at the Bottom great 
Dispatch in dressing is necessary, the great Joke being to take down the 
Tent before you are ready. The Lake of Coulange is about 4 Leagues. 
We arrived about 6 at the Lislette d’Allumette’ and in a few minutes 
at the Portage of the Grande Allumette. Here the Canoe is drawn 500 
Paces by the towing Line when the entrance to the Lake is barred by a 
Rock over which the Canoe is carried. The Distance is only a few yards 
but the Transport is very difficult from the Unevenness and perpendicu- 
lar rugged Height. Here the Ingenuity and Skill of the Voyageurs is 
evident. The Beds are placed in the Declivities of the Rock as Steps or 
supporting Places to the Canoe. The Bow of the Canoe is then placed 
on the first Step and thus lifted up the Rock and let down very much 
in the same manner on the other Side. At seven o’clock we found our- 
selves embarked on the Lake des Allumettes; why called the Lake of the 
Matches I could not learn. At 8 o’clock landed to breakfast—the 
weather rather foggy. From hence the River spreads wide and is called 
the Riviére creuse which now narrows for about 36 miles, bounded on 
the N. with very high Rocks on the S. by low Land covered with Pine. 

1 Or, Black River island. 
