1906-7. TRANSACTIONS. 101 



leagues from the fall of the Rideau is that of La Grande Chaudiere, 

 a phenomenon of a different aspect. Here, on the north side of 

 the river, is a deep chasm running across the channel for about 

 two hundred yards, from twenty-five to thirty feet in depth, and 

 without apparent outlet. In this receptacle, a large portion of 

 the river falls perpendicularly, with a loud noise, and amid a 

 cloud of spray and vapour; but embellished from time to time 

 with the bright and gorgeous rainbow. . . Above (the fall) 

 there are several islands, of which the land is higher at the upper 

 than at the lower extremities. The carrying-place is not more 

 than a quarter of a mile in length, over a smooth rock, and so 

 near the fall that the men in passing are wetted by the spray.'' 

 Henry also mentions the upper Chaudiere, or Des Chenes rapids, 

 and supplies the interesting bit of information that they were 

 named from the oak trees which in his day abounded along the 

 banks. 



He followed the usual route by way of Lake Nipissing, French 

 river, and Lake Huron, to Michilimakinac. All the way up the 

 Indians warned him that he was going to certain death, as the 

 tribes about Michilimakinac were loyal to the French and 

 would not tolerate an Englishman. Nevertheless he determined 

 to go on at all hazards. He had hardly settled down at Michili- 

 makinac when a band of sixty Chipeways, headed by their chief 

 Minavavana, marched in upon him, each with his tomahawk 

 in one hand and scalping-knife in the other. Their faces were 

 painted with charcoal, worked up with grease; their bodies with 

 white clay, in patterns of various fancies. Altogether they must 

 have presented a sufficiently alarming appearance. At a- sign 

 from the chief they seated themselves on the floor, and Minava- 

 vana, after complimenting Henry upon his bravery in thus coming 

 fearlessly among his enemies, proceeded to deliver an impassioned 

 address in which he proclaimed his loyalty to the French King, 

 but wound up by an intimation that although many of his tribe 

 had been slain by the English, their spirits might be satisfied by 

 a suitable present. This solution of the difficulty relieved Henry's 

 mind. After the ceremonial pipe had been * passed around, 

 Minavavana requested that his young men might be allowed 

 to taste what he called English milk (otherwise rum) observing 

 that it was a long time since they had tasted any, and that they 

 were anxious to know whether there was any d fference between 

 the English milk and the French. 



