FALLS AT RAT PORTAGE. 



105 



by cautiously approaching and striking him on the head 

 with a paddle ; he proved to be a splendid fish, probably 

 not less than ten pounds in weight. A thunder storm of 

 great violence detained us for a few hours on a small 

 island, where the rock was so smoothly worn and polished 

 by the action of ice, that we found some difficulty in keep- 



Falls at Rat Portage. 



ing our feet. The recent action of ice is often beautifully 

 shown on the islands in this lake, and instances of ancient 

 glacial action are by no means uncommon here as else- 

 where on the canoe route. We arrived at Eat Portage, 

 where the Great Winnipeg issues from the Lake of the 

 Woods, on the morning of the 27th of August. 



