122 Thirty Years 



another portage into a narrow lake ; we encamped on 

 an island in the middle of it, to set the nets ; but 

 they only yielded a few fish, and we had a very scanty 

 supper ; as it was necessary to deal out our provision 

 sparingly. 



We had the mortification of finding the nets en- 

 tirely empty next morning, an untoward circumstance 

 that discouraged our voyagers very much ; and they 

 complained of being unable to support the fatigue to 

 which they were daily exposed, on their present scanty 

 fare. "We had seen with regret that the portages were 

 more frequent as we advanced to the northward, and 

 feared that their strength would fail, if provision were 

 not soon obtained. We embarked at six, proceeded 

 to the head of the lake, and crossed a portage of two 

 thousand five hundred paces, leading over ridges of 

 Band-hills, which nourished pines of a larger size than 

 we bad lately seen. This conducted as to Mossy 

 iin whence we regained the river, after travera- 

 another portage. The Birch and Poplar Porta- 

 ges next followed, and beyond these we came to a part 

 where (he river takes a great circuit, and its course is 

 interrupted by several heavy falls. The guide, there- 

 fore, advi ed us to (piit it. ami proceed through a 



chain of nine lakes extending to the DOrth-east, which 



■ lid, and encamped on ley Portage, where the uets 

 wen- set. The bottom of the valley, through which 



