A TRIP TO THE LA VAL. 63 



cient for a make-shift, two indian-rubber blankets apiece, 

 one coated on the side the other in the middle, water- 

 proof suits, plenty of blankets, flannels, and warm 

 clothes ; and such other things as a gentleman ordinarily 

 carries on a journey. As a defence against the mosqui- 

 toes, black flies, sand flies, and other like torments of 

 Satan's invention, there were veils, the oil of tar, and a 

 mixture of glycerine, turpentine and spearmint. Above 

 our treasures were carefully stowed our two canoes, 

 bottom upmost. In a heavy sea they cannot be towed, 

 as they are apt to fill and tear to pieces. 



Few persons know how beautiful and delicate a canoe 

 is. It is manufactured only by the Indian ; in that the 

 white man has never equalled him. The best is made 

 from a piece of white birch bark, stripped from the tree 

 in springtime, damped, and after being cut away to the 

 requisite extent, molded into the proper shape. The 

 inside is covered with gum, and a thinner piece of bark 

 fitted upon it, so that though the outer bark be torn, it 

 still does not leak. Over this are passed thin strips of 

 red cedar, lengthwise of the canoe, and crossing them at 

 every inch are ribs of the same wood. The gunwale is 

 formed of a stout stick of hickory or ash, laced to the 

 sides, and four strong but slender thwarts bind the whole 

 firmly together, and serve for seats or supports. Inferior 

 articles are made of but one thickness and of poorer 

 bark. The shape differs according as they are manufac- 

 tured by the Mountaineers or Micmacs, the two tribes of 

 this region, the former building a long, narrow and 

 graceful boat, easily capsized even for a canoe, and well 

 suited for travel in smooth water ; while the latter build 



