Original - North Central Michigan College Library

almost entirely of rock. The largest, calledHe au Tonnerre, or Thunder Island, is saidby the Indians to be peculiarly subject tothunder storms. At the Grand Portage Ifound the traders in a state of extreme reciprocalhostility, each pursuing his interests inruch a manner as'might most injure his neighbor.The consequences were very hurtful tothe morals of the Indians.The transportation of the goods at thisgrand portage, or great carrying-place, was awork of seven days of severe and dangerousexertion, at the end of which we encamped onthe River aux Groseilles. 26 The Grand Portageconsists in two ridges of land, between which isa deep glen or valley with good meadow lands,and a broad stream of water. The lowlandsare covered chiefly with birch and poplar, andthe high with pine. I was now in what istechnically called the Northwest; that is, thecountry northwest of Lake Superior. Thecanoes here employed are smaller than thosewere forced to seek headquarters and a trade route to theWest farther north. As a consequence the route by theKaministiquia River was opened, and Fort Williambuilt at its outlet. Editor.26The same with what a recent traveler describes asthe "river du Tourt" (Tourtre) Dove or PigeonRiver. Author.Modern Pigeon River was first named Groseilliers,in honor of the first French explorer in this region. Theform of the name given in Henry's text is, of course, acorruption of this name. Editor.230