1892-93]. THE JOURNAL OF CAPTAIN WALTER BUTLER. 281 



boat, hauled her over and loaded again in an hour and a half ; rowed 

 from this to the beginning of the high lands, encamped on the beach and 

 secured the boat. Toronto was built on a level spot of ground nearly 

 opposite a long narrow neck or point of land running seven or eight 

 miles into the lake, forming a noble bay of eight or nine miles deep, two 

 or three miles from the bottom of which, on the north side, ships can ride 

 in safety. It's strange the French built the fort where they did and not 

 where their shipping were wont to lay, which was a few miles below the 

 fort down the bay. The bay of Toronto was filled with all sorts of 

 wild fowl. Saw on the north side of the bay several wigwams and 

 canoes turned up on shore. The land about Toronto appears very good 

 for cultivation. From Toronto to the river du Credit it is 12 miles 

 across the bay, but better than 20 along shore, which is the way boats 

 must take except the weather is very calm or a light breeze in your 

 favour. From Toronto to the beginning of the high lands is nine or ten 

 miles down the basin, but nearly double round the point. 



13th March. — Got off at daylight ; the wind from the land, could not 

 sail, rowed till twelve; passed the high lands and a small bay. Put into 

 Pinewood Creek. Here one Duffin resided formerly, since when a 

 Frenchman has resided here. He went off a little before we came. 

 Two houses a little up the creek, one entire, the other stripped. 

 This creek is famous with the Indians for great quantities offish. The 

 distance from this to the other end of the highlands is about 20 miles, 1 5 

 of which are few or no places where a boat could be saved in case of a 

 storm off the lake, the bank being very high and steep, being a mixture 

 of clay and chalk nearly as hard as freestone ; it forms a romantic, wild 

 view, in many places appearing like towns in ruins, the relics of houses, 

 remains of chimneys, etc. From the lake you would take it for a large 

 town built of stone partly demolished. Put off at ten o'clock, rowed till 

 three, the wind fair, sailed till four, rowed till six, no wind ; put ashore in 

 a deep bay where we found a fine creek, its water as clear as crystal. 

 Encamped a little up the creek in this bay. I believe vessels might 

 ride with safety from the N.E. or N.W. wind, but not from' the S.E. 

 or S.W. The distance from this to the Pinewood Creek is about 30 

 miles, the lake all along forming small bays in which you have a good 

 beach in which a boat may be secure in case of a storm. 



14th March. — Set off at daylight; rowed till twelve; the swell 

 increasing with the wind ahead at east, put into a creek called by the 

 Indians Pamituscoteyank (the fat fire) ; the distance from our encamp- 

 ment 1 5 miles ; at this creek and two others nearly of the same name 



