Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-10-12

'e'sioh necessary Tor the party
during its absence from civilization, the
long trip into the black forest was begun.
Inc river Chamouchouan was followed tn
IT'S junction with the Chigobiche river.
tnen the latter river and the Nikaubau
river to the Height of Land, q total dis
lance Of about 200 miles.
The approach to the watershed OF the
Labrador peninsula from the south side is
very difficult, as the land rises 600 to 200
feet above the level of Lake st. John. the
rivers are very swift throughout much Of
their extent, and in the lower courses the
river banks are so high that portsginr
around the rapids is out OF the question.
The Indians understand the science OF
river ascent as do no other persons. They
have made study OF rocks, rapids and
waterfalls from childhood; they are ex-
pert in handling the loaded canoe, and
nave the strength to pole their load
against current that would defeat the
efforts OF half dozen canoemen who
might attempt to paddle their craft
against it.
The guide provides himself with a
tough pole OF black spruce eleven feet
long and shod with pointed piece OF
steel. He shifts his load well forward OF
the middle OF the canoe, then, studying
carefully for few minutes the character
OF the rapids through which he is to pro-
gress, he boldly shoves the canoe into the
the current
The rapid water would turn it to the
right or left, or dash 1t against rock, or
overturn it with its occupant; but the
skill and strength OF the Indian are more
than a match for swift waters. He avoids
the rocks, he takes advantage of every
available back eddy, he boldly enters the
swiftest part OF the current and, holding
the bow OF the canoe true to its course,
drives il forward through the rushing
waters. Quickly he RECEIVERS his position,
gets new hold with the pole against the
river bottom and drives the canoe for
ward once more.
Time and again he repeats the opera
ton, usually gaining some distance with
each effort. Occasionally the pole slips,
or gets caught between rocks on the
bottom. The current is quick TO seize the
advantage and the inexperienced onlooker
expects to see instant destruction over
take the canoe and occupant. But provi-
sion has made for such a contingency.
The Indian has an extra pole within
reach OF his hand SO that almost before
the current is aware that the canoe was
in its grasp, it has been robbed OF its prey
hy 40 VnA
once more pushed forward into place of
safety, and the other pole is regained at
leisure.
The labor OF entering this country does
not stop with the long stretches of rapids
that have to be poled up. There are
several dozen places where passage by
canoe is impossible, as at waterfalls and
very shallow rapids. In these cases all the
goods and canoes have to be portrayed
around the obstacle. Portages vary in
length from few hundred feet to more
than a mile. In character they may be
, rocky or level, swampy, billy, through
windtslls and over mountains, or perplex-
combinations of all the varieties.
PogrAaISa.
There in only one best method for
portsging. White men who first enter
the wilderness try other methods, but
eventually learn that the Indians way is
most economic as well as easiest. For this
purpose a tump-line is used. The lump
line consists of broad strap of leather
that is passed over the head and the mar
rover ends made fast to the goods that
are TO be portrayed. The regulation load
for the adult Indian is 200 pounds, for the
squaw 100 pounds, and fifty pounds for
children old enough to carry load.
IL Is not an uncommon occurrence for an
Indian to carry two and three times the
weight OF the regulation load for short
distance. A story is told OF one Indian,
George Jordan, who, on one occasion, was
preparing TO carry $50 pound barrel of
pork from the post store to his canoe,
which was 500 feet away. A Boston
sportsman was present and expressed
doubt that the Indian, unassisted, could
carry the load.
The Indian, upon being informed OF the
sportsmsn's doubts, asked II the latter
would give him the weight of flour that
be could load and carry in addition to the
barrel OF pork. The sportsman assented;
the Indian first loaded the barrel onto his
back, then stopped and put up two hun
bred weight of flour ON top OF that, and
started on the ran to the shore. A most
interesting part of this story is that the
event was witnessed by the commander of
the Pointe Bieue post.
When the party OF college professors
had passed the Height-of- Land, progress
ON the large lakes and streams beyond was
both easier aud more rapid. On the
second of September the Mistassini post
OF the Hudson's Bay Co. was reached
This post is one of the two posts that the
company now support in the interior of
the Labrador peninsula, and is presided
over by Mr.. Iseruf, who, for fifteen years
had been in command OF the other in
terror post at Lake Nichicun. The post
ia tocated near the south end of Grand