[Garry ] DIARY OF NICHOLAS GARRY 107 
&e., &c.). At 9 we breakfasted, at 4 past embarked. After paddling 
for two Hours we came to a narrow Channel forming a Rapid, and the 
Banks of high Rocks on each Side so confined as scarcely to allow the 
Canoe to pass; it had the Appearance of a Canal cut in the Rock. 
After it [we] came to a short carrying Place but the Water being high 
the Canoe was towed. At 2 o'clock Lake Huron opened upon us with 
the Appearance of a vast Ocean. We dined on the Shores, which con- 
sist of hard flat Rocks but covered with Gooseberry Bushes. We passed 
on, over and thro’ sunk Rocks for 6 miles. Lake Huron communicates 
with Lake Michigan by the Strait of Michilimackinac ; with Lake 
Superior by the Strait of St. Mary and with Lake Erie to the South 
by the Strait of Detroit and thus through the latter Lake, by a Canal, 
(by which the Fall of Niagara is avoided) with Lake Ontario from 
which runs the St. Lawrence. Its shape is nearly triangular and it is 
computed to be 800 miles in Circuit. At 4 past 6 we had made a Tra- 
verse of several miles going from one Point of Land to another. At 
8 o’clock we came to a narrow Channel formed on the South by the 
Main Land, on the North by an Island, the Banks covered with the 
most beautiful Trees, a pleasing Contrast to the barren rugged Coast 
we had passed. On a Point of Land at the extremity of the Channel 
we found an Indian Encampment. There were 5 Men and 5 Women 
and 4 Boys, with children. They were going to Fort William to be 
engaged as Hunters. On our Approach they drew up on the Shore and 
fired their Guns. We passed them telling them we should encamp 
near them. After they had pitched their Tent the 5 young Men came 
to us bringing Maple Sugar and very nice Trout for which they received 
in return Tobacco, Rum and Biscuits. The Head or Chief was a very 
well-looking Man and a great Dandy in his way. Round his Hat was 
a Plate of Silver and he had broad Arm bands of the same Metal. The 
others were dressed in Blankets. 
Friday the 22nd [June]. We embarked at 3, the weather con- 
tinuing very fine. Just before starting one of the Indians brought us 
two very fine Pike. Our Course West. We passed close to the shore 
which is flat and uninteresting. At 8 o’clock we landed to breakfast, 
the Beach entirely Shingles with large square Sand Stones, the Back- 
ground Rocks of Slate and covered with the black Pine. An innumer- 
able quantity of Fish swimming about. At 9 we embarked and at 12 
we landed on the North Side at a Port belonging to the N. West Com- 
pany under Charge of Mr. Varin. A great many Indians were encamped 
about his House and the Faces of the men were much painted with 
Vermilion. At two o’clock we landed to Dinner on an Island to the 
