CANADIAN VOYAGEURS. 237 



upon the wood fire, the pipe is passed round, the story of 

 hazardous adventure is told, and the joyous song is borne 

 upon the bosom of the still and quiet lake. Then it is 

 that all the hereditary gaiety of the French race is ex- 

 hibited. They are most skilful canoemen, vigorous and 

 adroit with the paddle, and they will move on from one 

 day's end to another, only relieving their labours with their 

 songs and their jests. Murmuring or quarreling rarely 

 occurs among them. The language employed in their in- 

 tercourse is uniformly kind and affectionate, and although 

 they have their full share of the intense egotism and ele- 

 vation of self in the French character, it is softened 

 and disguised by the politeness and apparent cordiality of 

 their demeanour. Nothing can be more romantic or more 

 pleasing than to repose upon the banks of one of those 

 quiet lakes when the skies are clear, the air balmy and 

 the waters moving in glittering ripples, and listen to the 

 sweet chaunts which have been preserved by tradition and 

 which are sung by these voyageurs as they steadily ply the 

 oar to their cadence. 



The following is one of the most popular of these 

 songs : 



