OF THE FUR FRADE) &c. xlix

miles wide inthe broadeft part. After pafling a very fmall rivulet, they
come to the Elk Portage, over which the canoe and lading are again car-
ried one thoufand one hundred and twenty paces ; when they enter the lake
of the fame name, which is an hand{ome piece of water, running North-Weft
about four miles, and not more than one mile and an half wide*. They
then land at the Portage de Cerife, over which, and in the face of a con-
fiderable hill, the canoe and cargo are again tranfported for one thou-
{and and fifty paces. This is only feparated from the fecond Portage
de Cerife, by a mud-pond (where there is plenty of water lilies), of a
quarter of a mile in length; and this is again feparated by a fimilar pond,
from the laft Portage de Cerife, which is four hundred and ten paces.
Here the fame operation is to be performed for three hundred and eighty
paces. They next enter on the Mountain Lake, running North-Weft
by Welt fix miles long, and about two miles in its greateft breadth, In
the centre of this lake, and to the right is the Old Road, by which I
never pafled; but an adequate notion may be formed of it from the
road I am going to defcribe, and which is univerfally’preferred. This is
firft, the {mall new portage over which every thing is carried for fix
hundred and twenty-fix paces, over hills and gullies; the whole is then
embarked on a narrow line of water, that meanders South- Weft about two
miles and an half. It is neceffary to unload here, for the length of the
canoe, and then proceed Weft half a mile, to the new Grande Portage,
which is three thoufand one hundred paces in length, and over very rough
ground, which requires the utmoft exertions of the men, and frequently

lames them: from hence they approach the Rofe Lake, the portage of

* Were is a moft excellent fifhery for white fith, which are exquifites

g that