[GARRY] DIARY OF NICHOLAS GARRY 127 
dure, high rich Grass, the Soil appearing admirably fitted for Coloniza- 
tion, the Trees of Slender Growth Poplar, Ash, Oak, Willows. We met 
at every moment the White-headed Eagle with a white Tail. We passed 
two Rapids the Country about them beautiful bringing to the Mind the 
Recollection of English Scenery, fine rich sloping Banks of Grass, most 
luxuriant Verdure interspersed with Oak Trees. At 11 we landed when 
Mr. McGillivray and Mr. McRobb joined us. We immediately pro- 
ceeded and running down the River encamped at eight o’clock. 
Monday the 30th [July]. At two o’clock we embarked. The 
River of Rainy Lake, or Lac La Pluie, connects this Lake with the Lac 
du Bois, or Lake of the Woods, the general Course being from East to 
West, but it is so meandering in its Course that this is very variable. 
Mackenzie makes the Length to be 120 miles, but He has taken his 
Account from the Voyageurs, which is always exaggerated. The Dis- 
tance may be 85 miles. If this is not the grandest River I have seen in 
my Wanderings it is at least the most pleasing to my Eye, presenting at 
every moment the most beautiful Scenery and Spots which bring to the 
Mind England and all the attendant pleasing Recollections, the Strength 
of which and the delightful Feelings they produce appearing to be 
increased by Distance. The Banks are low, more elevated on the North 
Side than on the South. The Timber is small but of fine Appearance 
and most beautiful rich Foliage, the Elm, Maple, Ash, Aspen and at 
Intervals the Oak. The Banks are covered with high Grass presenting 
the most beautiful Verdure which cannot be surpassed even in England. 
The Breadth varies but little and may be from three to four hundred 
Paces or Feet. The Course is uninterrupted having no Portages to 
make and we only ran three Rapids. The River is full of Sturgeon, the 
Soil everywhere rich. At seven o’clock we landed to Breakfast. The 
Wind being favourable we arranged our Sail for the first Time. At 9 
we came to the Embouchure of this delightful River and entered the 
Lake of the Woods. We had here a Traverse to make of about 3 Leagues. 
We started with a fair moderate Wind but when we had got half way 
across the Wind chopped round to the North blowing hard and our frail 
Bark was in a good deal of Danger having shipped a great deal of Water. 
Our course is about North. At one we landed on a small Island to 
Dinner. Our Course continued to be through Islands which are chiefly 
Rock but low and uninteresting. At six we came into a narrow Channel 
formed by two Islands and covered with wild Rice. At the End of this 
Channel we came to the Portage of the Lake of the Woods which is 50 
Paces and leads to another Rice Pond after passing which you enter 

1 Haliaétus leucocephalus. See Audubon’s Birds of America. 
