100 NARRATIVE, &c. 



part, a south-east course, having agreed to concentrate on the 

 firing of a gun, a signal which was eventually given, by the 

 southern canoes under Mr. Johnston and Lieut. Allen. They 

 had discovered a path, having every appearance of a portage, 

 being in the required direction. Examination served to con- 

 firm this opinion. The baggage was immediately landed, the 

 loose articles put in a portable shape, and the order of march 

 on a portage, taken up. For this purpose, every article of the 

 outfit, is originally put up in the most compact and convenient 

 form, not exceeding ninety pounds weight. •Pork is packed in 

 kegs, flour in sail cloth bags, groceries in wooden or tin canis- 

 ters, goods in corded bales. These are carried on the back, by 

 a strong strap of leather passed around the forehead, and tied 

 by its tapering ends, to the bag, or other article, forming the 

 first, or lower piece. This is swung over the shoulders, and 

 other pieces laid on, to the number of two, or sometimes three, 

 according to the carrier's strength. He then bends strongly 

 forward, and proceeds at a half trot. He goes on the length of 

 a pause, say half a mile, where the burden is put down, the 

 strap untied, and the carrier, after a few moments rest, briskly 

 returns, for another load. This process is continued till all the 

 goods, are brought up to the first pause. The canoe and its 

 apparatus, are then brought up, when the men commence ma- 

 king the second pause, and this order is repeated at every pause. 

 This is a severe labor, and requires able bodied men, well prac- 

 ticed. And where the ground is low or swampy and often 

 travelled, it soon becomes a perfect bed of mire. 



The present portage, however, was found to lie across a pine 

 plain, offering a clean beach of sand to debark on, and a dry 

 smooth path to travel. A portage of 1,078 yards, brought us to the 

 banks of a small lake, after crossing which we came to the en- 

 trance of a small clear brook, having not over two or three inches 

 depth of water, spread over a bed of yellow sand. It seemed im- 

 possible to ascend it, especially with the larger canoe, but by the 

 men's first carrying the lading, by widening the channel in cut- 



