THE WINTER ROAD. 



85 



four to eight miles back. The distance from Eainy Lake 

 to the Lake of the Woods, following the windings of the 

 stream, is about eighty miles, and throughout the whole 

 of this extent the land fronting on the river is fit for 

 settlement." 



At Fort Frances the party was separated into three di- 

 visions, with a view to explore different routes. Mr. 

 Napier was furnished with a guide to conduct him by 

 the Eiviere du Bois, from one of the north-westerly bays 

 of Rainy Lake to the Lake of the Woods. The result of 

 this exploration established the fact, that however advan- 

 tageous this route may be for Indians, in their small 

 canoes, it is far inferior to that by Eainy Eiver, and the 

 Lake of the Woods, as a boat communication. In de- 

 scribing it Mr. Napier says : — 



" This is the winter road, and is preferred to the route 

 by the Eainy Eiver, as being more sheltered and free 

 from the long open traverses necessary in crossing to the 

 Eat Portage from the mouth of Eainy Eiver. From 

 Eainy Lake this road follows a chain of small lakes and 

 connecting creeks, with occasional portages, until the 

 north-east corner of the Lake of the Woods is reached, 

 where the route continues through the numerous islands 

 to the Eat Portage. The land throughout is rugged, 

 rocky, and timbered with spruce and birch." 



Mr. Gladman, accompanied by the remainder of the 

 party, with the exception of Mr. S. Dawson, myself, and 

 two French Canadian voyageurs, took the old route by 

 Eainy Eiver, the Lake of the Woods, and the Winnipeg, 

 to Eed Eiver. 



On Saturday, August 22nd, I started from Fort Frances 

 at noon, in company with Mr. S. Dawson, for Muskeg 

 Eiver, a small stream flowing easterly from the swamps 

 which occupy the summit of the water-shed between the 



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