52 A General History of the Fur Trade. 



North, the Sturgeon- Weir River discharges itself into this 

 lake, and its bed appears to be of the same kind of rock, 

 and is almost a continual rapid. Its direct course is about 

 West by North, and with its windings is about thirty miles. 

 It takes its waters into the Beaver Lake, the South-West 

 side of which consists of the same rock lying in thin stra- 

 ta: the route then proceeds from island to island for 

 about twelve miles, and along the North shore, for four 

 miles more, the whole being a North- West course to the 

 entrance of a river, in latitude 54. 32. North. The lake, 

 for this distance, is about four or five miles wide, and 

 abounds with fish common to the country. The part of it 

 upon the right of that which has been described, appears 

 more considerable. The islands are rocky, and die lake itself 

 surrounded by rocks. The communication from hence to the 

 Bouleau Lake, alternately narrows into rivers, and spreads 

 into small lakes. The interruptions are, the Pente Portage, 

 which is succeeded by the Grand Rapid, where there is a 

 De'charge, the Carp Portage, the Bouleau Portage in latitude 

 54. 50. North, including a distance, together with the wind- 

 ings, of thirty-four miles, in a Westerly direction. The 

 Lake de Bouleau then follows. This lake might with great 

 propriety be denominated a canal, as it is not more than a 

 mile in breadth. Its course is rather to the East of North 

 for twelve miles to Portage de L'Isle. From thence there 

 is still water to Portage d'Epinettes, except an adjoining ra- 

 pid. The distance is not more than four miles Westerly. 

 After crossing this Portage, it is not more than two miles 

 to Lake Miron, which is in latitude 55. T. North. Its 

 length is about twelve miles, and its breadth irregular, from 

 two to ten miles. It is only separated from Lake du Chi- 

 tique, or Pelican Lake, by a short, narrow, and small strait. 

 That lake is not more than seven miles long, and its course 

 about North-West. The Lake des Bois then succeeds, 

 the passage to which is through small lakes, separated by 

 falls and rapids. The first is a D6charge : then follow the 

 three galets, in immediate succession. From hence Lake 

 des Bois runs about twenty-one miles. Its course is South- 

 South-East, and North- North-West, and is full of islands. 

 The passage continues through an intricate, 'narrow wind- 

 ing, and shallow channel for eight miles. The interruptions 

 in this distance are frequent, but depend much on the state 

 of the waters. Having passed them, it is necessary to cross 

 the Portage de Traite, or, as it is called by the Indians, 

 Athiquisipichigan Ouinigan, or the Portage of the Stretch-. 



