KTAADN. 
47 
these portages and rapids, in order that the reader may 
get an idea of the boatman’s life. At Ambejijis Falls, 
for instance, there was the roughest path imaginable cut 
through the woods; at first up hill, at an angle of nearly 
forty-five degrees, over rocks and logs without end. This 
was the manner of the portage. We first carried over 
our baggage, and deposited it on the shore at the other 
end; then returning to the batteau, we dragged it up the 
hill by the painter, and onward, with frequent pauses, 
over half the portage. But this was a bungling way, 
and would soon have worn out the boat. Commonly, 
three men walk over with a batteau weighing from three 
to five or six hundred pounds on their heads and shoul¬ 
ders, the tallest standing under the middle of the boat, 
which is turned over, and one at each end, or else there 
are two at the bows. More cannot well take hold at 
once. But this requires some practice, as well as strength, 
and is in any case extremely laborious, and wearing to 
the constitution, to follow. We were, on the whole, 
rather an invalid party, and could render our boatmen 
but little assistance. Our two men at length took the 
batteau upon their shoulders, and, while two of us steadied 
it, to prevent it from rocking and wearing into their 
shoulders, on which they placed their hats folded, walked 
bravely over the remaining distance, with two or three 
pauses. In the same manner they accomplished the 
other portages. With this crushing weight they must 
climb and stumble along over fallen trees and slippery 
rocks of all sizes, where those who walked by the sides 
were continually brushed off, such was the narrowness 
of the path. But we were fortunate not to have to cut 
our path in the first place. Before we launched our 
boat, we scraped the bottom smooth again, with our 
