The Home of tJic Wolva'cne and Beaver. 39 



and some stout fellows will walk away over rocky, 

 steep ground with three — while four others lift 

 their light craft out of the water, shoulder her, and 

 convey her carefully beyond the obstacle. In a 

 dt-cJiarge the canoe is commonly towed by a strong 

 cord, one man remaining in her to manage and 

 steer. Formerly several of these toilsome opera- 

 tions had to be performed in a day, now there is a 

 canal with smooth water all the way, but alas ! the 

 graceful canoe is no longer to be seen paddling on 

 its surface with its motley crew of Canadians and 

 half-breeds ; the steam engine has destroyed the 

 romance of the lakes. 



At length they arrive in safety within sight of 

 the fort at the Grande Portage, with its large 

 barricade of cedar wood, within which are enclosed 

 the residences for the accommodation of the pro- 

 prietors and clerks during their short stay there. 

 The North-men and the Pork-eaters shift for them- 

 selves as best they can, the former in tents, the 

 latter under their canoes. Hardy and accustomed 

 to face any weather with indifference, the smallest 

 shelter suffices for their simple wants. And now 

 comes the selection of extra men to stay during 

 the winter, the payment of all accounts, the trans- 

 port of the goods across the nine miles which has 

 gained the Grande Portage its name, and lastly, a 



