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XXXIl A GENERAL HISTORY

fix miles, with a very ftrong current, where the goods are carried feven
hundred and forty paces; the canoe being towed up by the line, when
the water is not very high. We now enter Lac des Chaudieres, which

is computed to be thirty miles in length. Though it is called a lake,

there is a ftrong draught downwards, and its breadth is from two to four

miles. At the end of this is the Portage des Chats, over which the canoe

-and lading are carried two hundred and feventy-four paces; and very dif-

ficult it is for the former. ‘The river is here barred by a ridge of black
rocks, rifing in pinnacles and covered with wood, which, from the {mall
quantity of foil that nourifhes it, is low and ftinted. The river finds its
way over and through thefe rocks, in numerous channels, falling fifteen feet
and upwards. From hence two trips are made through a ferpentine chan-
nel, formed by the rocks, for feveral miles, when the current flackens, and

is accordingly called the Lake des Chats. At the channels of the grand

Calumet, which are computed to be at the diftance of eighteen miles, the

current recovers its ftrength, and proceeds to the Portage Dufort, which
is two hundred and forty-five paces long; over which the canoe and
baggage are tranfported. From hence the current becomes more rapid,
and requires two trips to the Décharge des Sables*, where the goods
are carried one hundred and thirty-five paces, and the canoe towed.
Then follows the Mountain Portage, where the canoe and lading
are alfo carried three hundred and eighty-five paces; then to the
Décharge of the Derigé where the goods are carried two hundred and

fifty paces; and thence to the grand Calumet. This is the longeft

* The place where the goods alone are carried, is called a Decharge, and that where goods and canoes
are both tranfported, overland, is denominated a Portage.

carrying-