OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 89 



inhabitant of these grand forests, and this was further imi- 

 tated by the bidght colors shoiun in the various articles of 

 dress, especially in the needle-work that ornamented their 

 moccasins. 



The solitary occupant of the dug-out was a poor im- 

 migrant, who had but recently arrived in this country in 

 order to avail himself of the " Free Grant Lands," and 

 likewise settle near his brother, who had preceded him 

 twenty years, having settled on this lake in 1864. It was 

 half-past three o'clock when the steamboat was descried 

 approaching the island from the direction of Toronto. At 

 this moment many of the invited guests residing about the 

 lake had effected a landino^. The boats and canoes of 

 these were drawn well on tein^a firma, while there was still 

 a certain number of the small water-craft to be seen on 

 the lake. 



The point selected for the landing of the steamboat 

 was well chosen. It was directly in front of a large, flat 

 rock, which extended from the water's edge back several 

 rods into the forest, while its width was about one-third of 

 its length. The upper surface of this rock did not rise at 

 any point materially above the surface of the surrounding 

 earth, while the water in front of it was now more than 

 six feet deep, enabling the steamer to approach, run out 

 its ordinary gang-plank, and deliver its passengers with- 

 out the slightest danger, having been previously made fast 

 by means of ropes to two balsam-trees which were stand- 

 ing in convenient positions. This steamboat had been the 

 principal object of attention by all parties assembled on 

 the island, from the moment when she was first sighted in 



