OF THE TOLAR SEA. 



95 



their cargoes. The wind became more 

 moderate, and we were enabled, after tra- 

 versing a chain of smaller lakes, to enter 

 the mouth of the Sturgeon River at sunset, 

 where we encamped. 



The lading of the canoes is always, if 

 possible, carried on shore at night, and the 

 canoes taken out of the water. The fol- 

 lowing evening we reached Beaver Lake, 

 and landed to repair some damages sus- 

 tained by the canoes. A round stone will 

 displace the lading of a canoe without doing 

 any injury, but a slight blow against a sharp 

 corner penetrates the bark. For the pur- 

 pose of repairing it, a small quantity of gum 

 or pitch, bark and pine roots, are embarked, 

 and the business is so expeditiously per- 

 formed, that the speed of the canoe amply 

 compensates for every delay. The Sturgeon 

 River is justly called by the Canadians La 

 Riviere Maligne, from its numerous and 

 dangerous rapids. Against the strength of 

 ; a rapid it is impossible to effect any progress 

 by paddling, and the canoes are tracked, or 

 if the bank will not admit of it, propelled 



