I.')2 TRANSACTIONS OF TIIK CANADIAN INSTITUTK. [V'oi,. 1. 



squashes. About sunset got to the head of the lake, entered the river Mat- 

 chetache, and encamped. 



2nd, — Proceeded down the river, and in the space of two hours had to 

 carry our canoes, &c., over two portages. A short distance below the first 

 carrying place the Black River empties itself into the Matchetache, and 

 changes the colour of that river from clear to a dusky brown, which it does 

 not vary until it enters the bay of the same name, upon Lake Huron. 

 Below the second carrying place the river widens, and at about a distance 

 of six or seven miles from it we crossed a small lake about six miles in 

 circumference. Put on shore and dined upon a point where we got various 

 kinds of berries. Mr. Pilkington's canoe and mine being leaky were 

 hauled out of the water and gummed well. After dinner pushed off, and 

 about sunset came to a third carrying place, where, after hauling up our 

 canoes, we encamped. This place is said to be much infested with rattle- 

 snakes ; it certainly has much the appearance of it, being almost a solid 

 rock, with a few scrubby pines and oaks growing on it. John Vincall, of 

 the rangers, cut one of his toes almost off here. To the left of the carrying 

 place is a handsome fall, and below that an impetuous rapid. 



3rd. — Had the canoes, &c., carried across early in the morning, and after 

 breakfast proceeded down the river. Went through several rapids and 

 crossed two more carrying places. At 2 o'clock arrived at, and had every- 

 thing carried over a fitth portage. The scene of this place is pleasing and 

 romantick ; the portage is a solid, level rock with a few small pines and oak 

 growing out of the rents. The falls rush, as may be easily conceived to be 

 the case, from an immense body of water, having a great desc. nt, and being 

 condensed between two rocks, at not more than fifteen feet asunder. 

 After dinner continued our journey, and soon after crossed a sixth portage. 

 Shortly after re-embarking it began to rain, and we encamped upon a small 

 island about two miles below the last mentioned carrying place. 



4th — Loaded our canoes early in the morning and embarked. The wind 

 being fair, hoisted sail, and in about three or four hours arrived at a seventh 

 and the last carrying place. Having crossed our canoes, &c., and again 

 re-embarking, at 11 o'clock we entered Matchetache Bay. The Indians 

 being apprised, by an express across the country from Oakland Point, of 

 the Governor's being near at hand, were assembled upon a point a short 

 distance from the last carrying place. Upon seeing them we made towards 

 them. When we got within a few yards of the shore they complimented 

 His Excellency with ^feu de joie, which we answered with three cheers, 

 and immediately landed. After all the Indians had shook hands with the 

 Governor, the chief presented him with two dozen ducks. His Excellency 

 thanked him, and told him he would be happy to see him and his band 



