OAK POINT. 



77 



the one hand, and to the old lake Eidge, where it is cut 

 by White Mud Eiver on the other ; a distance in an air 

 line of one hundred and ten miles. North of this line 

 the country is in general marshy, full of reticulating lakes 

 and low aspen-covered ridges. 



The settlement at Oak Point contains about a dozen 

 houses ; their appearance does not give a stranger a favour- 

 able impression of the industry and energy of their occu- 

 pants. No advantage appears to be taken of the splendid 

 country by which they are surrounded ; and with the ex- 

 ception of John Monkman, who at times is a marvel of 

 energy injudiciously directed, they do not seem to have 

 made any progress in improving their dwellings, or in 

 enclosing a farm, since they first established themselves at 

 Lake Manitobah. About ten miles in a south-westerly 

 direction from Oak Point a number of French half-breeds 

 have formed a settlement on the shores of the lake. They 

 enjoy the advantage of having a resident Missionary 

 (E. C.) among them. 



On the 29th we made preparations for a journey on 

 horseback to the Settlements, striking diagonally across 

 the prairie region just described. The country in the 

 neighbourhood of Oak Point is very attractive ; its general 

 level is about ten feet above the lake ; it resembles in 

 every respect the region about White Mud Eiver. Our 

 road, for a few miles, lay across a very rich and fertile 

 tract, until an almost imperceptible ascent introduced us 

 to a low gravelly ridge, upon which aspen woods grow in 

 narrow strips ; the forest preserves a uniform outline as 

 far as the eye can reach, in a direction corresponding to 

 the present form of Lake Manitobah, indicating, without 

 glancing at the soil, the direction and extent of the sub- 

 aqueous ridges, afterwards a low coast line, which were 

 formed over the floor of Lake Manitobah at a higher 



