CHAPTER XXXVII. 



Fkom Lake Winnipeg to Hudson's Bay. 



the nelson kiver route — the dashing rapids of the nelson 

 — norway house — the lakes and islands of the river — 

 the timber — the mouth of the nelson as a harbour — 

 characteristics of the country. 



pr/HE outlet of Lake Winnipeg — the head of the Nelson River 

 — is situated about fifty miles south-eastward from the 

 northern extremity of the lake. The distance from that 

 ^F point to York Factory on Hudson's Bay, via the Nelson, 

 is four hundred and thirty miles. The Nelson is fairly entitled to 

 be classed among the great rivers of the world. It drains a vast 

 area of country, most of which is of great value. No wonder the 

 waters of this stream go by many names, as it does not retain its 

 river characteristics for any great distance in any portion of it. In 

 fact, one half of it is lakes and islands, and these have each their 

 names. 



From Lake Winnipeg the river commences, about one mile in 

 width, and after flowing less than four miles it expands into Great 

 Play green Lake, the main body of which is about four miles in 

 length. It is separated from Lake Winnipeg by a level peninsula 

 of clay and sand called Mossy Point. A former post of the Hudson's 

 Bay Company, called Norway House, once stood on this point ; but 

 it has long since disappeared, and the site is now overgrown with 

 trees. Great Playgreen Lake is full of rocky islands. The Nelson 

 leaves this lake by two channels which unite again in Cross Lake, 

 forming Ross Island, which is between fifty and sixty miles long. 

 Both channels are filled with islands — the eastern so much so that 

 one cannot make his way without a guide. This eastern branch 



