350 Our North Land. 



favourite hunting-ground of the Indians, into the Nelson. Farther 

 down, at the Devil's Rapids, the river contracts to a width of but 

 six chains., and, in consequence, the current is very strong. It is 

 dangerous in the extreme to venture upon it in a canoe. 



Shortly before reaching Grand Rapids a magnificent stretch of 

 water meets one's view. Here a large river, ten chains wide, dis- 

 charges its waters into the Nelson from the east, and a little 

 way above Goose Hunting River comes into it from the west, 

 bringing with it the waters of Stinking Lake. At Grand Rapids 

 the river turns abruptly and flows round a point, with a dashing, 

 foaming torrent. At the lower chute the river is not more than 

 four chains wide, and the scene is magnificent. The waters dash 

 and leap madly along, with a strength that seems to make the 

 great rocks tremble. It seems almost incredible that the waters of 

 the Winnipeg, and Red, North and South Saskatchewan Rivers, each 

 far wider than this part of the Nelson, could be forced through such a 

 narrow passage; but what is lacking in width is replaced by depth and 

 velocity. After rounding the point, Grass River, about five chains 

 wide, flows into the Nelson. A few miles beyond is the Chain of 

 Islands Rapids, where, of course, another portage has to be made. 

 Not far below this another rapid is run, and the traveller is in Split 

 Lake, after having portaged fifteen rapids and run many more. 



At this point the traveller, should he wish, may turn up Burnt 

 Wood River, a very large stream leading, to the westward toward 

 Nelson House, a Hudson's Bay Post, located on one of the series of 

 lakes constituting, at that place, the Churchill River. 



The spruce is now growing smaller. It is not more than six 

 inches in diameter. The lower limbs are dead and covered with 

 moss, leaving only the green top. Tamarac, which generally grows 

 in swamps, is found here in rocky places. On the hill sides the 

 moss is knee deep, and especially beautiful is the white caribou 

 moss. ' Split Lake is about thirty miles long and six wide. It is 

 full of islands and bordered by deep bays. Its name is derived from 

 the fact that a chain of islands split it. The principal river flowing 

 into it, aside from the Nelson, is the Burnt Wood. There is a Hud- 

 son's Bay post on the north shore about midway of the lake. At 



