ROUTES TO RED RIVER. 



253 



Portage, a distance of 124 miles.* From Eock Portage 

 to Lake Winnipeg the route lies through a low region, 

 involving numerous portages, and occupied by the pri- 

 mary unfossiliferous rocks. The distance between Hudson's 

 Bay and Lake Winnipeg is about 400 miles, the differ- 

 ence in level being 628 feet. Vessels cannot remain 

 with safety longer than six weeks at York Factory, in 

 consequence of the probability of ice arresting their 

 passage to the Atlantic. Nelson Eiver, through which 

 the drainage waters of Lake Winnipeg find their way 

 to the sea, is characterized by heavy falls and rapids 

 which effectually oppose communication even by canoes 

 or boats. 



THE SOUTHERN OR ST. PAUL ROUTE. 



On the 8th October, 1857,1 despatched those members 

 of the expedition who were to return to Canada by the 

 road on the west side of Eed Eiver to Pembina, remain- 

 ing behind myself in order to see Mr. Dawson, who, 

 having 'partially recovered his health, was coming up the 

 river with the Eev. J. Macdonald from Islington Mission, 

 where, it will be recollected, he had remained in conse- 

 quence of illness. Mr. Gladman had returned to Lake 

 Superior in canoe early in September, Mr. Napier and 

 his assistants were comfortably lodged in the Middle 

 Settlement, Mr. Dawson had secured excellent accommo- 

 dation within half a mile from Fort Garry, and nearly 

 opposite to the Eoman Catholic Cathedral of St. Boniface, 

 where he could with ease enjoy the opportunity of attend- 

 ing the religious services of that communion, of which he 

 is a warm and zealous member. Their winter's work 

 before them was to explore the country between Eed 



* See Report by Lieut. T. Blakiston, R.A. 



