NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION, 89 



or that he had been seven times in battle. Other marks were 

 not understood or interpreted. A paling of saplings inclosed 

 the space. 



On the following morning, our camp was astir at the customary- 

 early hour, when we proceeded to Point aux Beignes, a distance 

 of six miles. Attaining this point, we entered Keweena Bay, 

 coasting up its shores for an estimated distance of three leagues. 

 We were then opposite the mouth of Portage Eiver, but sepa- 

 rated from it a distance of twelve miles. I was seated in Lieu- 

 tenant Mackay's canoe. The whole squadron of five canoes 

 unhesitatingly put out. The wind was adverse; before much 

 progress had been made in crossing, three of our flotilla, after 

 struggling against the billows, put back ; but we followed the 

 headmost one, which bore the Governor's flag, and, seizing hold of 

 the paddles to relieve the men, we succeeded in gaining the river. 

 The other canoes came up the next morning, fit seven o'clock, 

 when we all proceeded to cross the Portage Lake, and up an 

 inlet, which soon exhibited a rank growth of aquatic plants, and 

 terminated, after following a very narrow channel, in a quagmire. 

 We had, in fact, reached the commencement of the Keweena 

 Portage. 



Before quitting this spot, it may be well to say, that the geo- 

 logy of the country had again changed. Portage Lake lies, in 

 fact, in the direction of the great copper-bearing trap dyke. 

 This dyke, estimating from the end of the peninsula, extends 

 nearly southwest and northeast, probably seventy miles, with a 

 breadth of ten miles. It is overlaid by rubble-stone and amyg- 

 daloid, which latter, by disintegration, yields the agates, carne- 

 lians, and other silicious, and some sparry crystalline minerals, 

 for which the central shores of Lake Superior are remarkable. 

 Nearly every part of this broad and extensive dyke which has 

 been examined, yields veins, and masses of native copper, or cop- 

 per ores. 



The word was, when we had pushed our canoes into the quag- 

 mire, that each of the gentlemen of the party was to carry his 

 own personal baggage across the portage. This was an awkward 

 business for most of us. The distance was but two thousand 

 yards, but little over a mile, across elevated open grounds. I 

 strapped my trunk to my shoulders, and walked myself out of 



