in the North coun- 
try, but is kindness 
itself, and enjoys a 
talk and a “wee 
drapee” when he can 
get one. His wife is 
quite shy, like most 
Indian women, and 
did not come out 
when I was getting 
ready to take a 
snapshot of the fort 
and its occupants. I 
called to Old Joe to 
tell his wife to come 
out, as I wanted 
everyone in the pic- 
true. When she did 
not come he went in- 
side, and then she 
came out in a hurry. 
He is boss of the 
fort; none can gain- 
say that. I amused 
him by saying “Well, 
I suppose I will have 
to sign the register.” And when he 
looked surprised, and said that he had 
no register, I glanced at the walls. 
which were literally covered with 
names, and he grinned as I wrote my 
name and address. He remarked that 
he had not been there, but had been to 
Penetang once. 
HILE writing there are thousands 
of angry mosquitos scolding away 
outside the curtain; but they cannot 
get in. A cloud of black flies followed 
me in; but they tried to get out again 
as they do not attack one inside until 
the candle is lighted. Then a few will 

The author with a catch of trout 
and a young loon 
Page 587 

The close of day—Berthemet Lake near Height of Land 
nip; but only in a half-hearted way. 
To make sure, however, I slaughtered 
them with a towel. 
We caught some fish in the rapids at 
the foot of Matachewan Falls—a beau- 
tiful fall, thirty feet or more in height, 
and at the junction of the west branch 
with the Montreal River. This fall has 
a history. In the olden days the Huron 
and Algonquin Indians used to come 
up from Montreal, to make raids on 
the Chippewas who lived up here. They 
would carry off the women and furs, 
and shoot up the braves. As they did 
not know the waterways, they used to 
take prisoners to guide their big war 
canoes down the rivers, run the rapids 
where possible and point out the port- 
ages when the rapids were not navi- 
gable. 
Gys2 Chippewa brave, who was placed 
in the stern of a big canoe con- 
taining forty Algonquins, told them this 
rapid could be run, and as the fall does 
not appear until one rounds a bend, 
and is very close to it, he guided the 
canoe down to the falls, and when pass- 
ing a rock leaped out, leaving the hos- 
tile warriors to their inevitable fate. 
This is authentic, I believe, as I heard 
it from several sources. 
We have had wonderful weather so 
far; but it rained a little this morning, 
which is much needed, as everything 
is pretty dry. We are now twelve miles 
north of the height of land, and are 
camped on a lovely spot of Matachewan 
lake. To-morrow we are going for a 
trip into McNeil Township, and will be 
away two or three days. I am taking 
one guide and the small canoe. 
Arrived back in camp to-night after 
a rough trip. We left here early in 
the morning, getting to the north end 
of Whitefish Lake by noon—thirteen 
miles and three portages. Fred says 
that it is called Whitefish Lake because 
there are no whitefish in it. We 
tramped through parts of McNeil 
township, met a prospector who has a 
claim two miles in from Whitefish Lake, 
had lunch at his shack, and looked over 
his claim. 
E returned to our canoe about six- 
thirty, after looking over some 
of the country in the immediate neigh- 
borhood, and paddled to a point, where 
we camped for the night. We brought 
only a small mosquito net tent, no pro- 
vision against rain, and luckily met an- 
other prospector, with a small canvas 
tent. It rained hard all night, so we 
were glad to accept his invitation to 
sleep in his tent, which was small. 
However, we managed to squeeze in, 
and were dry at any rate, when morn- 
ing came. It rained all day and our 
slickers proved a godsend. We trav- 
elled light, not even carrying plates, 
and ate our meals of bacon on a piece 
of bread, cutting the meat with our 
pocket knives. We slept in our clothes, 
and the rain washed our faces and 
hands. This is back to nature with a 
vengeance. 
Te2 day was perfect and we had a 
long tramp, getting in at five 
o’clock. I caught a fine five and a half 
pound trout at half-past five. It fought 
well, and broke water twice, which is 
unusual for lake trout. We had it for 
supper and it was delicious. The air 
is so clear and fresh that no appetizer 
