228 SIK WILLIAM EAMSAY 



Indians and trappers deposited at different points on 

 the lake, and it was to share in this trip that Dr. Brown 

 brought an invitation. It was gratefully accepted, and 

 though, being purely a pleasure trip, no business was 

 done, it was an experience never to be forgotten. The 

 boat was steered by a half breed. They said no one 

 but a half breed or an Indian could follow the windings 

 of the lake. The islands were so thick that it was more 

 like a tortuous stream than a lake and there never was 

 clear water more than twenty yards ahead. All day 

 they sailed among the islands, the haunts of many 

 different tribes. No living Indians were seen, but they 

 passed many of their burial places, or rather, Isles of 

 the Dead, where in birch -bark hammocks strung from 

 tree to tree, with their tomahawks and water bottles by 

 their side, the braves slept their last sleep among the 

 islands that had once been their undisputed home. 



The Browns were on their way to Montreal, and the 

 gradually increasing party went on to Niagara, and 

 unlike some other travellers none of them found it a 

 disappointment. After that came Montreal, science and 

 civilisation. The meeting was a surprisingly large one 

 and very successful in every way. 



Eamsay and his wife were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. 

 John Molson, and kindness and hospitality was showered 

 upon them. The most noteworthy events were an 

 excursion to shoot the Lachine Rapids and a la crosse 

 match between a Canadian and an Indian team, an 

 entire novelty to the British visitors. 



