SLAVE FALLS, WINNIPEG RIVER. 



117 



ever, a considerable area, being also observed below the 

 falls, where it attains an altitude of eighteen feet. At this 

 spot we met Mr. Clouston, of the Hudson Bay Com- 

 pany's service, in charge of supplies for Eat Portage 

 and Fort Frances. He kindly consented to open his cases 

 and allow Mr. Macdonald to select some medicine and 

 whatever necessaries he might require for Mr. Dawson's 

 use. The motley crew of Indians and half-breeds were 

 engaged at the time of our meeting in hauling a bateau 



Slave Falls, Winnipeg River, 



over the falls, having deposited the cargo on the rocks. 

 Twenty to twenty-five men were puUing at a rope attached 

 to the bateau, and with the utmost exertion slowly lifting 

 the unwieldy craft up the wall of water, five feet high, 

 which constitutes the Barriere Falls. Late in the evening 

 we arrived at the mouth of the Pennawa, a small branch 

 of the Winnipeg, which joins it again at Bonnet Lake. At 

 and below the Otter Falls were a number of Indians en- 

 gaged in fishing ; as we hurried past them they shouted 



i 3 



