171 EXPEDITION TO THE 



CHAPTER IV. 



Departure from Fort William. Trap formations on 

 Lake Superior. Blichipicotton house. Jlrrival at the 

 Sault de St. Marie. Conclusion of the Journey. 



THE route which we travelled from Lake de la Croix to 

 Lake Superior was first explored and laid out by Messrs. 

 M'Gillivray, M'Leod, and M'Kay, and is very creditable to 

 them ; it being probably one of the best and most eligible 

 means of communication between these two points. Fort 

 William was erected in 1803, on a scale commensurate 

 with the importance, which was justly attached to the prin- 

 cipal depot of a company remarkable for its active and am- 

 bitious views. It covers an area of two hundred yards 

 square, enclosed by a strong picketting, fortified by three 

 block-houses. The accommodations which it afibrds were 

 sufficient in the days of the prosperity of the North-west 

 Company, to receive forty partners, and at least as many 

 clerks, who, being all attended by their families, were pro- 

 vided with separate quarters. In the large mess-room, 

 where we were handsomely and kindly entertained by the 

 superintendant, Roderick Mackenzie, Esq. much mirth and 

 hilarity formerly prevailed, but from the immense size and 

 deserted appearance of this elegant apartment it had ac- 

 quired a gloomy character. We regretted to find that this 

 establishment, which had cost a great deal of money, and 

 which had been embellished with many of the luxuries of 

 civilized countries, is about to be suffered to fall to ruin j 



