62 THE VERMILION IRON-BEARING DISTRICT. 



679 paces, they embark on the lake of Hauteur de Terre,*" which is in the shape of an 

 horseshoe. It is entered near the curve and left at the extremity of the western 

 limb, through a ver}^ shallow channel, where the canoe passes half loaded for 30 

 paces with the current, which leads through the succeeding lakes and rivers and 

 disembogues itself hj the River Nelson into Hudson's Bay. The tirst of these is Lac 

 de Pierres a Fusil,'' running west-southwest, 7 miles long and 2 wide, and making an 

 angle at northwest 1 mile more, becomes a river for half a mile, tumbling over a 

 rock and forming a fall and portage, called the Escalier,'' of 55 paces; but from 

 hence it is neither lake or river, but possesses the chai'acter of both, and ends 

 between large rocks, which cause a current or rapid, falling into a lake pond for 

 about 2i miles, west- northwest, to the portage of the Cheval du Bois.'* Here the 

 canoe and contents are carried 380 paces between rocks; and within a quarter of a 

 mile is the Portage des Gros Pins," which is 640 paces over a high ridge. The 

 opposite side of it is washed by a small lake 3 miles round; and the course is through 

 the east end or side of it, three-quarters of a mile northeast, where there is a rapid. 

 An irregular, meandering channel, between rocky banks, then succeeds for 7i miles 

 to the Maraboeuf Lake, which extends north 4 miles, and is three-quarters of a mile 

 wide, terminating by a rapid and decharge of 180 paces, the rock of Saginaga being 

 in sight, which causes a fall of about 7 feet and a portage of 55 paces. 



Lake Saginaga takes its name from its numerous islands. Its greatest length 

 from east to west is about 14 miles, with verj^ irregular inlets; is nowhere more 

 than 3 miles wide, and terminates at the small portage of La Roche,-'^' of 43 paces. 

 From thence is a rock}'', stony passage of 1 mile to Prairie Portage, which is very 

 improperlj^ named, as there is no ground about it that answers to that description, 

 except a small spot at the embarking place at the west end. To the east is an entire 

 bog, and it is with great difficulty that the lading can be landed upon stages, formed 

 by driving piles into the mud, and spreading branches of trees over them. The 

 portage rises on a stony ridge, over which the canoe and cargo must be carried for 611 

 paces. This is succeeded by an embarkation on a small bay,-"' where the bottom is 

 the same as has been described in the west end of Rose Lake, and it is with great 

 difficult}' that a laden canoe is worked over it, but it does not comprehend more than 

 a distance of 200 yards. From hence the progress continues through irregular 

 channels, bounded by rocks, in a westerly course for about 5 miles to the little 



* The route which we have been traveling hitherto leads along the high, rocky land or bank of 

 Lake Superior on the left. The face of the country offers a wild scene of huge hills and rocks, 

 separated by stony valleys, lakes, and ponds. Wherever there is the least soil it is well covered with 

 trees. 



«Now called North Lake.— J. M. C. 



'' Guntlint Lake.— J. M. C. 



c Little Eock Portage.— J. M. C. 



fHVood Horse Portage.— J. M. C. 



«Pine Portage.— J. M. C. 



/This leads from Saganaga into Swamp Lake. — J. M. 0. 



? At east end of Otter Track Lake.— J. M. C. 



