96 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



with poles, in the management of which the 

 Canadians show great dexterity. Their 

 simultaneous motions were strongly con- 

 trasted with the awkward confusion of the 

 inexperienced Englishmen, deafened by the 

 torrent, who sustained the blame of every 

 accident which occurred. 



At sunset we encamped on an island in 

 Beaver Lake, and at four A.M. the next 

 morning passed the first portage in the 

 Ridge River. Beaver Lake is twelve miles 

 in length, and six in breadth. The flat 

 limestone country rises into bold rocks on 

 its banks, and at the mouth of the Ridge 

 River the limestone discontinues. The 

 lake is very deep, and has already been 

 noticed for the number and excellence of its 

 fish. The Ridge River is rapid and shallow. 

 We had emerged from the muddy channels 

 through an alluvial soil, and the primitive 

 rocks interrupted our way with frequent 

 portages through the whole route to Isle a 

 la Crosse Lake. At two P.M. we passed 

 the mouth of the Hay River, running from 

 the westward ; and the ridge above its con- 



