[&ARRY] DIARY OF NICHOLAS GARRY 123 
We then arrived at the Portage de But des Mille Lacs about 150 
Paces, over a Mountain. Mille Lacs is so called from the Number of 
small Lakes or Inlets and low Islands, covered with Ash, Aspen and 
Larch, which have an Infinity of small Lakes. On passing this Portage 
we embarked on the Lake of Windigo or the Devils Lake, which is about 
15 miles, a most melancholy, uninteresting Lake, low Banks and stunted 
Pine. At 8 o’clock we arrived at the Portage of La Pinte and as it was 
dark when we passed it was a Source of great Danger. It is the worst 
Portage on the whole Route. According to the Calculation of our men 
they have paddled to-day nearly 100 miles, 5 miles Lake, 35 miles 
Savanne, 45 miles Mille Lac, 18 miles Devils Lake. 
Wednesday the 25 [July]. At 4 o’clock we embarked, crossed a 
small Lake of about 1 mile in Length when we came to a narrow Creek 
with so little Water that our People were obliged to draw the Canoe. 
This Creek is about 500 Yards in Length. Then we came to another 
Lake, the Shores most melancholy, uninteresting and unfriendly, low 
Rocks covered with stunted Pine. At 6 we arrived at a small Décharge 
of 60 Paces when we entered a Lake. After paddling half an hour we 
came to a narrow Channel covered with Water Lilies when we again 
entered a Lake, after passing which we entered a small narrow Rivulet 
over Beds of Stones which terminated in the Portage des Français! 
where we breakfasted. This is a long Portage, nearly two Miles, over 
Mountains beautifully wooded and contrasted with the gloomy un- 
friendly Scenery of the Mille Lacs and Devils Lake had an enlivening 
Effect on the Spirits which the Beauty of the Day much added to. 
There is a made Road at the End but in a ruinous rotten State. At 10 
we embarked and found ourselves on a small Lake? after paddling half 
an hour we reached a narrow Channel which brought us into another 
Lake the Lac Doré, so called from the yellow Sand on the Shore. We 
saw here a Brigade of 6 Canoes with 12 Men each who had carried the 
Athapascan Outfits to Lac La Pluie or Rainy Lake and were now return- 
ing to Fort William. At half past one we arrived at the Portage des 
Morts which is about 150 Paces and so called from the Number of fata. 
Accidents which have here occurred and the too melancholy Truth of 
which the numerous Crosses or Burial Places demonstrate. After 
passing this Portage we came to a small Pond which we crossed and 
entered another Lake which we also crossed at four. We met here a 
Brigade of Illiquois. The Water was covered with Lilies and Water 

1 French Portage in Dawson’s 1859 map. 
2 [f we take the Portage des Français above to be the French Portage of Dawson 
this small lake would be Pickerel Lake. See Henry (Coues), p. 217, note. 
