They immediately launched the canoes into the water, two men in each with their bagage, whilst one of the men went by land about a league and a half, which was the probable extent of said Rapid, tho' not so violent as at the foot, except at some points v/here rocks obstructed the River which is no more than three to four hundred paces wide. After the Rapid was passed, though not without trouble, all the Indians who had gone by land over a pretty good road and level country, though covered witli timber, re-embarked in their canoes. My men were also on land and I on the water in a canoe. They reviewed all their force and found 24 canoes with 60 men. After having completed their review, we continued our journey as far as an Island three leagues long, covered with the finest pines I ever beheld. They hunted and caught some wild animals there. Passing thence about three leagues farther on, we camped in order to rest for the night.

. *iow, Chambly, Lower Canada.

4 CHAjyiPLAlN^S EXPEDITIONS

Fortliwitli some began to cut down timber ; others to pull oif bark to cover lodges to shelter them ; otliers to fall large trees with which to barricade their lodges on the sliore. They know so well how to construct these barricades, that five hundred of their enemies would find considerable difficulty in forcing them in less than two houi-s, without great loss. They do not fortify the side of the river along which their canoes are ranged, so as to be able to embark should occasion require.