Great North American Lakes. 93 
water of the lake. I was led to the observation at that 
time, by having charge of a fatigue party, which was em 
ployed in removing the earth, which was deposited in the 
bottom of the canal, that conducts the water from the head 
of the rapid to the saw-mill, situated about three quarters of 
a mile below. In removing this earth, it became neces- 
sary to throw up a temporary dam of stones and sods, a 
the upper end of the canal, to prevent the water from flow- 
ing in. Just as this was completed, the water which had ris- 
en considerably while we had been at work, was about break- 
ing over. I informed the men, it would be necessary to raise 
attributed the rise of water to its influence. But one of the 
who had been employed the two preceding summers, 
in floating mill-logs, out of a small stream which empties in- 
to Lake Superior, about nine miles above, observed, that it 
would be unnecessary to raise the dam, for the water was at 
its height. I was incredulous as to his statement, and asked 
how he knew the water would not continue to rise. He re- 
plied, that there were regular tides in Lake Superior; he 
ad observed them, the two previous summers, both in the 
stream where he rafted logs, and on the shores of the lake, 
and that the tide was about two hours and a half in rising, 
and the same time in falling. In consequence of this infor- 
mation, I directed the men, to suspend their work on the 
dam, for a few moments, to ascertain whether it would be 
verified. We very soon found the water was on the reflux, 
although the wind continued the same. We marked the 
shore, as the water receded; and as the bed of the lake, for 
several rods from the margin, made but a small angle with 
the horizon, the fall of the water, was perceptible, every 
moment; it was from two hours and twenty, to two hours 
and thirty minutes, in its ebb, and the same time in 
The rise and was about eighteen inches, perpendicular. 
We observed two ebbs, and two flood tides, during that and 
the two following days, which were in the same regular man- 
ner. I mentioned these facts to the commanding officer 
of the post, and to several other officers;—they all attributed 
the phenomenon, to the’wind above; but having made per- 
sonal observations, they concluded it could not be caused 
by the wind, for it was neither violent, or variable, during 
the time. After this, I had less opportunity to notice so crit- 
