242 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



hasten the operation, lest by so doing they might 

 make it possible for the regulars to get back before 

 the winter set in ; and every one knew that the 

 Dominion Ministry were most anxious that they 

 should be kept at Fort Garry for at least a year. 



The construction of this road was under the super- 

 intendence of the Public Works Department, the 

 gentleman representing which in the Ministry was a 

 French Canadian, and known to be heart and soul 

 with the priestly party in Quebec, and therefore 

 favourably inclined to Kiel. Men of a suspicioiis 

 turn of mind began to say that the fact of there being 

 no road ready for our advance was part and parcel of 

 a political scheme whereby the departure of the Ex- 

 pedition might be stopped altogether. As the pro- 

 mised road was not likely to be ready in time, a 

 river-route to Shebandowan Lake was sought out and 

 \itilised for the conveyance of the boats, &c., &c. 



A large-sized river flows out of that lake, and 

 being joined by two others of about equal magnitude, 

 empties itself into Thunder Bay : -it is known for the 

 greater part of its course as the Kaministiquia Eiver. 

 The difference of level between Shebandowan Lake 

 and Thunder Bay is more than 800 feet, and in de- 

 scending from that great height the water passes over 

 some very fine falls, one of which is about 120 feet 

 high, being one of the most picturesque spots in 

 British Xorth America. 



The officials of the Public Works Department who 



