420 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



from Lake Superior : " With Wampum like this my an- 

 cestors made a road to Montreal many years since ; one 

 end of this string is tied to my village at Sha-qua-me-cong 

 and the other I wish you to tie at Penetanguishene to 

 your new fire" (delivering the Wampum). An Ottawa 

 chief: "Asa proof of our determination we make a road 

 with this Wampum, the end of which we expect to see 

 to-morrow* (meaning next year) at Penetanguishene 

 (where the presents were to be delivered), and trust it 

 will continue clear for generations to come." 



On the 17th August we left the Touchwood Hills, 

 and followed the trail leading to the lesser range bearing 

 the same name. 



A chain of hills joins the Greater and Lesser Touch- 

 wood Hills, having a course nearly north-west and south- 

 east, or at right angles to those of the main ranges. In 

 this subordinate range there are many conical elevations, 

 some of them well wooded up to their summits, but the 

 forest trees are small. The trail to Port Ellice winds 

 round the base of dome-shaped hills, past small lakes and 

 aspen bluffs, through luxuriant herbage, and over an 

 excellent soil. About nine miles from the Fort it begins 

 to ascend the eastern flank of the Little Touchwood 

 range, and gently winding up it for several miles, it finally 

 reaches an extensive marsh which occupies a portion of 

 the summit plateau. The marsh is but the introduction 

 to numerous lakes, which continue to diversify the 

 country in all directions. 



On the following day we entered a region differing in 

 many points from the rich tract we had left. Gravelly 

 hills and areas of coarse drift sand form the surface of 

 the country for a few miles, and apparently continue in 



* « To-day" signifies, this year; "to-morrow/' next year; "night/' 

 winter; "morning/' spring; "play," war; "milk," rum. In the minutes 

 of the speeches the metaphorical allusions are curious and interesting. 



