BRIGADE OF BATEAUX, 
27 
Indians to what they were in their original 
state, before their manners were corrupted by 
intercourse with the -whites, the more do you 
find in their character and conduct descrying 
of admiration. 
It was on the 28th. day of August that we 
reached La Chine; the next day the “brigade/* 
as it was called, of bateaux was ready, and in 
the afternoon we set out on our voyage. Three 
men are found sufficient to conduct an empty 
bateau of about two tons burthen up the St. 
Lawrence, but if the bateau be laden more 
are generally allowed. They asceucf the stream 
by means of poles, oars, and sails. Where the 
current is very strong, they make use of the 
former, keeping as close as possible to the shore, 
in order to avoid the current, and to have the 
advantage of shallow water to pole in. The 
men set their poles altogether at the same mo¬ 
ment, and all work at the same side of the ba¬ 
teau ; the steersman, however, shifts his pole 
occasionally from side to side, in order to keep 
the vessel in an even direction. The poles 
commonly used are about eight feet in length, 
extremely light, and headed with iron. On 
coming to a deep bay or inlet, the men aban¬ 
don the poles, take to their oars, and strike if 
possible directly across the mouth of the bay ; 
but in many places the current proves so strong 
that it is absolutely impossible to stem it by 
