DAYS ON THE NEPIGON. 



poplar, and the Indian of the Nepigon at 

 least recognizes and concedes its merits; and 

 the picturesque birchbark, after playing well 

 its part, is gradually disappearing. 



All the artistic temperaments have had a 

 crack at the birchbark. Artists have depicted 

 its' perfect lines and colors, poets have rhymed 

 it and blanked it; but in this utilitarian age, 

 the picture and the poem make way for the 

 more practical. Though apparently incon- 

 gruous, the new order now is a wooden boat 

 and store clothes for the Indian, and his old 

 canoe will disappear like the tomahawk, the 

 moccasin, the bow and arrow, the scalp-lock 

 and other primeval necessaries and luxuries; 

 but doubtless he will long retain his old-time 

 skill with the paddle; and more power to 

 his elbows. 



Pine Portage carry is the last of any consid- 

 erable length on the river. Flat Rock Portage, 

 Miners' Rapids, Camp Victoria and several 

 others are only a few yards long and welcome 

 opportunities for leg stretching, and some of 



them are safely run on the downward trip. 

 40 



