23^ EXPEDITION TO THE 



tant thunder and the rumblings of an earthquake. Below 

 the Falls of Kakabikka, the river presents a continued ra- 

 pid for the distance of about twenty miles, below which it 

 quietly passes through serpentine folds to its mouth, which 

 is in an arm of the lake called Kamana Bay. The whole 

 descent of the water from Coldwater Lake, (the first water 

 eastward of the dividing ridge on our route,) to Lake Su- 

 perior, may be estimated at about six hundred feet. 



The country on this part of the route is somewhat more 

 inviting than any other part of the region now under con- 

 sideration. Bottoms of considerable extent frequently oc- 

 cur, but in the upper portion of the river they are low and 

 subject to inundation. The high lands are less broken, 

 rising to the height of one hundred and fifty or two hun- 

 dred feet. As we descend, the country becomes still more 

 interesting, exhibiting many indications of an exuberant 

 soil. The growth is similar to that before mentioned, with 

 the addition of the fir and white pine, which occasionally 

 present themselves. The liard becomes more stately and 

 plentiful, and the trees generally attain a much larger size. 

 A dense undergrowth of shrubbery, vines, and bramble, 

 prevails. These, together with other indications which 

 might be enumerated, seem to distinguish the valley of 

 this river as the future residence of civilized man. 



Near the mouth of Dog river is situated Fort William, 

 formerly the principal depot of the North-west Company, 

 This site was selected as being more eligible on some ac- 

 counts, than that of Fort Charlotte at the mouth of Pigeon 

 river on the Grand Portage route, which was consequently 

 abandoned. The circumstance of the latter site beinsccon- 

 tiguous to the line of demarkation between the territories 

 of Great Britain and the United States, no doubt had con- 

 siderable influence in bringing about this measure. 



