Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 2).djvu/82

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76
Early Western Travels
[Vol. 2

pounded and tempered like mortar, is put on the aperture, this is covered by a linen rag, and the edges firmly cemented with gum.

We continued our voyage to La Barriére, at the head of the Long Saut, or long water fall, a very dangerous current from the extreme rapidity of the fall. At the top of this fall there are some traders settled, but they are not of any consequence either for the extent of their commerce, or the profits arising from the peltry they collect, the Savages in those parts being too well acquainted with the value of furs and skins to be imposed upon, unless when they are intoxicated, an advantage I must confess too frequently taken.

From this fall we proceeded to the Lake of the two Mountains, where there is a village belonging to the Connecedaga Indians, already described. At this place I stayed a day among my old friends, which was all the time my engagements would allow, as it is of the most material consequence in this branch of trade to be early at the wintering ground.

We proceeded to the Uttawa, or Grand River, coasting all the way till we came to Lake Nipissin, from whence the River St. Laurence takes its rise. We then entered the French River, leading to Lake Huron, and proceeded with very favourable weather to Michillimakinac, where we arrived on the 17th of June.[1]

[41] The country every where abounds with wild animals, particularly bears, moose and other deer, beavers, beaver eaters, lynx, foxes, squirrels, fishers, otters, martins, minx,
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  1. For a description of the trade route by way of Ottawa River, Lake Nipissing, Georgian Bay, and Lake Huron to Mackinac, see H. H. Bancroft, History of the Northwest Coast (San Francisco, 1886), i, pp. 561-564. Also, for a personal narrative, see that of Captain Thomas G. Anderson, in Wisconsin Historical Collections, ix, pp. 138-143.—Ed.