SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. 237 



the Thousand Lakes, which is sometimes travelled ; besides 

 these there are two others of considerable size from the west, 

 one called Mataway sha-boon-da-wan or Long lodge river, 

 connecting, like the last mentioned, with the same lake 

 and the other White-fish river, through which there is a 

 route for canoes, communicating with the Grand Portage 

 route, it is however seldom travelled. 



On this route the portages are equally as numerous, and 

 more extensive than on the other, nor are its other impe- 

 diments less formidable. Rapids and cataracts abound; 

 among the latter is one of the most magnificent cascades 

 to be witnessed in any country, it is denominated by the 

 Indians, the Falls of Kakabikka or Cleft rock, and is situ- 

 ated about thirty miles upward from the mouth of the river, 

 which is here contracted to the width of about fifty yards, 

 and supplied with a volume of water unusually large for 

 that width. Thus confined, the whole body of the river is 

 precipitated, in a dense sheet, down a perpendicular pre- 

 cipice more than one hundred and thirty feet into a deep 

 chasm, bounded by perpendicular cliffs of the height just 

 mentioned ; the banks of the river, for a distance of nearly 

 one-half of a mile below, are completely insurmountable, 

 rising perpendicularl}', and in many places overhanging 

 their bases. The chasm throughout this distance, is no 

 wider than is necessary to give free passage to the water, 

 which is mantled with foam and hurried down with great 

 rapidity. This scenery, although it is less extensive, yet vies 

 in grandeur and sublimity with that of the Falls of Niagara. 

 In beholding it, the spectator is inspired with equal awe, 

 the principal features are equally terrific, while the deep 

 intonation, virhich is not only heard but felt at the distance 

 of four or five hundred yards, is more sensible than that of 

 its rival, and has a nearer resemblance to the roar of dig- 



VoL. IT. 31. 



