WXN-DE-G0S OE CANNIBALS. 



05 



having an elevation of 1,600 feet above the same level. 

 Brule Lake bears another name of terrible import. It 

 is called Win-de-go or Cannibal Lake, a term applied to it 

 in commemoration of an unnatural deed committed here 

 by a band of Ojibways in 1811. Although not less, it is 

 stated, than forty in number, yet they were unable to 

 procure sufficient food to preserve them from famine. 

 Many perished with hunger and the survivors sustained 

 existence by feeding upon the dead bodies of their com- 

 panions. The whole of the band with one exception 

 perished, the survivor, a woman, preserved existence by 

 murder ; she, however, was not long permitted to live. 

 Meeting with another party of Indians, who drew the 

 dreadful secret from her, she was put to death, under the 

 impression that those who have once fed on human flesh 

 always retain a desire for it, which they are not unscru- 

 pulous in gratifying when opportunity offers. Several 

 instances of cannibalism were mentioned to us by the 

 voyageurs as having occurred on this route ; and hi the 

 following summer noted spots in the basin of Lake Win- 

 nipeg were pointed out, which preserve a similar dreadful 

 reputation. Both voyageurs and Indians always spoke of 

 these horrible deeds in subdued tones and with an ex- 

 pression of anxiety and alarm. 



The impression produced by a survey of the solitudes 

 about the western extremity of Miles Lacs and of BarilLake 

 was rather of a favourable character. If in the course of 

 time mineral wealth should be found to exist in profitable 

 distribution about Milles Lacs, there would be no scarcity 

 of arable soil between the low hill ranges of that beauti- 

 ful but desolate lake to supply the wants of a mining popu- 

 lation ; or, in the event of a line of communication between 

 Thunder Bay and Eainy Lake being established, its 



VOL. I. F 



