The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-17

AS the sun approached his setting. every eye in the
canoes, as they pulled along was Specializing on some
dry and olerably open spot the shore. That once
found, all were on shore in an instant. Then the axe
was heard ringing among the trees to prepare for the
ires, and make room of lhe tents IN ten minutes lhe
the supper preparing i'll all It's diverses. The beds
were next made, consisting of an ol-cloh laid on the
ground with blankets and pillow; occasionally aided
BY greatcoats, discretion The crews drawing the
canoes shore, first made inspection of their hurts
during the day and having done this, the little vessels
turned into shelter and each man, wrapping him
sell IN his blanket, deed the weather and the world.
But tins state OF happiness destined TO last
long About one in the morning, the cry OF "ere tece
broke all SAUNDERS. We must acknowledge that the
hour seems premature and that the most patient OF rav
ellers might have solicited couple OF hours more OF
Tired natures sweet restoer But the discipline Of ,he
start up, the tent pulled down about him, and ne
found himself half smothered in However, we
must presume that this seldom happened, and, within
half hour, everything would be packed, the canoes
laden, and the paddles moving to some merry Old song
In this passed the day. six hours of rest to egh
sturdy Engishman or the active rshman but perfectly
congenal to the snews and spirit OF the gay uogdgear
A few touches more give the complete picture Of the
day. About eight convenient site would be selected
for breakfast 1hree-quarters OF an hour being the
whole time allotted for unpacking and packing boiling
and trying, eating and drinking. "Whlle the premlna-
ries were arranging, the harder among would wash
and shave each person carrying soap and towel IN his
pocket and finding mirror in the same sandy or rocky
basin which held the water. About two in the after
noon, put ashore for dinner, and this meal needed
no fire, Or at least got none it was not allowed to
| py more than twenty minutes, or half an hour"
/ We recommend the following considerations TO the
amateur boaclubs, and others, who plume themselves
on their naval achievements between Puney and Vaux
hall bridges. Let them take the work OF Canadian pad
dlenan to heart and lower their plumage accordingly
"The quality of the work, even more than the quant-
y, requires operatives of iron mould In smooth water,
the paddle piled with twice the rapidly of the oar tax
ing both arms and lungs TO the utmost extent Amid
shadows, the is literally dragged by the
wadng to their knees their lons, while each poor fell
low after replacing his drer half in his seat aughingly
strikes the heavier of the wet from his legs the gun
vale, before he gives them inside BERTH In rapids,
the towing line has to be hauled along rocks and
stumps, through swanps and hickets, excepting that
when the ground is utterly impractcabe, poles sub
sttued and occasionally also the bushes on the Shore
This, however, is "plain sailing" to the por,ages.
where the TRACKS of all imaginable kinds and degrees
of badness and the canoes and their cagoes are never
carried in less than two three trips the little
vessels alone monopozing, in the rst turn the more
expert half of their respective crews Oh the baggage,
each has to carry at least two pieces, estimated at a
hundred and eighty pounds weight which he suspends IN
sings placed across his forehead, so that he may have
his hands free to clear his way among the branches and
standing or fallen trunks Besides all this the uogeur
performs the part of bridge jety on the arrival of the
canoe at its place OF rest the gentleman passengers being
carried on shore on the backs OF these and
sinewy fellows
For the benefit OF the untraveled, should say that
portage is the fragment OF land passage between the foot
and head OF rapid when the rush OF the stream is too
strong for the tow rope.
AT of the halting. places on Lake Superior,
ous tale told of the Indians belief in Providence,
OF which it had been the scene.
Three four years before, party of Salteaux, much
pressed for hunger, anxious TO reach of their
fishing stations an island about twenty miles from the
shore The spring had unluckily reached that point
when there was neither clear water nor trustworthy ice
council being held, to consider the hard aena-
hves OF drowning and starving when an old man of in
| Auence thus spoke:
"You know my friends, that the Great Spirit gave one
OF our squaws child yesterday now, he have
sent it into the world to take ii away again directly
should therefore recommend the carrying the child with
us, as the pledge OF safety"
We wish that we could have to record successful
issue to this anticipation. But the transit was too much
for the metaphysics of the old Indian They went on the
treacherous ice, gave way and cight-andwent per-
The Thunder mountain, their route, struck them as
zone OF the most appalling objects" which they had seen.
level OF the lake, with perpendicular face of it's full
height The Indians say, that any one who scale it,
and urn three times on the brink Of its fearful WALL
will live forever" We presume by dying first.
But the shores of this mighty lake, or rather fresh
water sea, which seemed destined to loneliness forever,
are now likely to hear the din of population and blaze
with furnaces and factories Its southern found
to possess rich veins OF copper and silver Later inquiry
has discovered on the northern shore "nexhaustible
treasures OF gold silver copper and tin, and associa
tons have been already formed to work them. Sir
George Simpson speaks OF the future probability Of
their rvang in point OF wealth the Alta chain and the
| Uralian mountains.
From Fort William, at the head of Lake Superior the
little expedition entered river with poysylabc NAME
which leads further to the "Far West" The banks
|
will be Of the resembances OF the primitive para
disc.
is all picuresque the river finely diversified with
rapids, and with cataract which, though less in vol
ume than Niagara, throws that far famed fall into the
back ground, in point of height and wdness of scenery
But must leave description to the authors pen "The
river, during this days march, passed through forests of
elm oak birch, &c, being studded with isles not less
fertile and lovely than its banks. And many spot re-
minded of the rich and quiet scenery of England
The paths of the numerous poages spanged with
roses vloets, and many other wild howers--whe the
currant the gooseberry, the raspberry, the Plum the
cherry, and even the vine, abundant All this
bounty OF nature was imbued it were, with life, by
the cheerful notes of variety of BIRDS and by the
less utter of butterflies of the brightest hues" He then
makes the natural and graceful reflection
'One pass through this fair valley without feel
ing that it destined to become or later the hap
py home of civilized men, with their beang focks and
then lowing herds with their schools and their churches
with their full gamers and their social heahs AT the
time of visit the great obstacle in the way of so
blessed contamination the hopeless wilderness to
the eastward which seemed to bar forever the march of
settlement and cultivation, but which will soon be an
open road to the far west with all its riches That will
deness that it is 10 yield up its long hidden stores
itself presented. The mines of Lake Superior, besides
establishing continuity OF route between the and
the west, Will find their nearest and cheapest supply of
agricultural produce in the valley of the Kannstaq uoia
One of the especial hazards of the forest now encoun-
tered them. Passing down a creek near Lac lie
Pue, hire suddenly burst forth the woods near them
The ilalnes cracking and clambering up each tree
quickly rose above the forest. Within few minutes
more the dry grass the very margin of the waters was
in "a running baze and before they were clear of the
DANGER they almost enveoped in clouds of smoke
and ashes These Standardization caused bv