54 A'*General History of the Fur Trade* 



which bears the appearance of a lake, takes its name from 

 the Portage, and is full of islands. It runs from East to 

 West about sixteen miles, and is from four to five miles 

 broad. Then succeed falls and cascades which form what 

 is called the Grand Rapid. From thence there is a succes- 

 sion of small lakes and rivers, interrupted by rapids and 

 falls, viz. the Portage de Bareel, the Portage de L'Isltf, and 

 that of the Rapid River. The course is twenty miles from 

 East-South-East to North- North- West. The Rapid River 

 Lake then runs West five miles, and is of an oval form.— 

 The Rapid River is the discharge of Lake la Rouge, r a where 

 there has been an establishment for trade from the year 

 1782. Since the small-pox ravaged these parts, there have 

 been but few inhabitants : these are of the Knisteneaux tribe, 

 and do not exceed thirty men. The direct navigation con- 

 tinues to be through rivers and canals, interrupted by rapids ; 

 and the distance to the first Decharge is four miles, in a 

 Westerly direction. Then follows Lake de la Montagne, 

 which runs South-South- West three miles and an half, then 

 North six miles, through narrow channels, formed by 

 islands, and continues North-North- West five miles, to the 

 portage of the same name, which is no sooner crossed, than 

 another appears in sight, leading to the Otter Lake, from 

 whence it is nine miles Westerly to the Otter Portage, in 

 latitude 55. 39. Between this and the Portage du Diable, 

 are several rapids, and the distance three miles and an half. 

 Then succeeds the lake of the same name, running from 

 South-East to North- West, five miles, and West four miles 

 and an half. There is then a succession of small lakes, ra- 

 pids, and falls, producing the Portage des Ecors, Portage 

 du Galet, and Portage des Morts, the whole comprehend- 

 ing a distance of six miles, to the lake of the latter name. 

 On the left side is a point covered with human bones, the 

 relics of the small-pox ; which circumstance gave the Por- 

 tage and the lake this melancholy denomination. Its course 

 is South- West fifteen miles, while its breadth does not ex- 

 ceed three miles. From thence a rapid river leads to Por- 

 tage de Hallier, which is followed by Lake de L'Isle d'Ours : 

 it is, however, improperly called a lake, as it contains fre- 

 quent impediments amongst its islands, from rapids. There 

 is a very dangerous one about the centre of % which is 

 named the Rapid qui ne parle point, or that never speaks, 

 from its silent whirlpool-motion. In some of the whirl- 

 pools the suction is so powerful, that they are carefully 



