108 



RED RIVER EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 



second growth. The rock about Eat Portage is chloritic 

 slate, which soon gives place to granite, without any 

 covering of drift, so that no area capable of cultivation 

 was seen until we arrived at Islington Mission. We did 

 not pursue the usual canoe route, but in the hope of 

 overtaking the other members of the expedition, followed 

 an Indian route for some miles, which was said by our 

 guide to be half a day's journey shorter than that by the 

 main river. 



In descending this branch of the Winnipeg, a terrific 

 thunder storm, accompanied by a hurricane of wind and 

 an extraordinary fall of hailstones, approached us from 

 the south as we reached the high portage which connects 

 this route with the great river. Turning round in my 

 canoe I saw, about half a mile in our rear, a white line 

 of foam advancing rapidly towards us. Directing the 

 attention of Lambert who occupied the stern, to the 

 approaching squall, he instantly changed the course of 

 the canoe to the opposite bank. The river here was about 

 300 yards broad, and we were swiftly paddling close to the 

 west side, which was bounded by high and precipitous 

 granite rocks. I had barely time to stretch a gutta- 

 percha cloth over the canoe, before the hurricane came 

 down upon us. Lying, as directed, at full length on the 

 floor of our small craft, I left her to the dexterity of 

 Lambert and the Indian. They met the shock skilfully, 

 and paddled before the storm with great rapidity, as did 

 also our fellow-travellers in the other canoe. We con- 

 tinued on our way for some minutes, gradually drawing 

 near to the right bank, where we intended to land. Sud- 

 denly, however, - large hailstones began to descend with 

 such force as to bruise my hands severely in endeavour- 

 ing to retain the covering in its place. The Indian in the 

 bow laughed heartily at first, but having no covering on 



