96 EXPEDITION TO THE 



silvery white of its bark, and by its leaves lightly quiver- 

 ing at every breath of air, is intermixed with birch, and 

 occasionally with spruce trees ; a dense and almost im- 

 penetrable undergrowth of firs forms a sort of curtain along 

 the banks of the river, and is interspersed with bushes 

 loaded with plums, haws, pembina, &c. One of the ob- 

 jects which contributed most to enliven the scene was the 

 great abtmdance of fish in the river ; they were frequently 

 observed leaping out of the water ; for few streams are so 

 well stocked with fish as this is ; they are principally the 

 sturgeon, salmon, pike, &c. Over these falls eagles and 

 hawks soared high in the air, watching for the easy prey, 

 which they derive from the numbers of fish, that are 

 wounded or killed by being hurried against the rocks by 

 the irresistible force of the current. Several canoes of 

 Indians were also seen on the stream engaged in fish- 

 ing; Chippewa lodges, constructed of bark, and bleach- 

 ed by long exposure to the air, formed small white specks 

 which reflected the rays of the sun, and were visible at a 

 great distance. As we proceeded along these rapids our 

 canoe-men entertained us with songs more remarkable for 

 the wildness and originality of their notes than for the 

 skill and method with which they were sung. It is one 

 of the delights of these men to sing in unison as they 

 proceed, and the effect is very fine, though, perhaps, to 

 those tutored in music " the sounds that thrilled rocks 

 along" might have appeared somewhat harsh. Such were 

 the features which we admired that morning, and which 

 received an additional lustre from a bright sun and cloud- 

 less sky. But when in the afternoon the wind blew high, 

 and the heavens were darkened with clouds, the scene be- 

 came almost terrific; the waves arose, and it required 

 the fullest confidence in the skill and experience of our 



