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After Robertson's capture all was quiet again, and no disturbance took place again in that quarter. But the news of his seizure and detention soon blew into a flame the irritated, and disappointed feelings of his party. A measure, which for years before had been threatened to be put in practice, was at length determined upon, and carried into effect, with the intention of effectually interrupting, and, in its consequences, eventually ruining, the prosperous and trade which the North West Company had so long carried on in Athabasca, to the exclusion and great annoyance of their rivals.

The only practicable route to and from Athabasca, and the Northern Departments of the fur trade at least the only route that can with any degree of convenience be pursued, is through the north western outlet of Lake Winipie leading through Cedar or Bourbon Lake to the River Saskatchewan. Between that Lake & and Lake Winipie this […] is is the Grand Rapid as it is called, consisting of two ledges of rocks, the passage down of which, for the distance of four or five miles, is wholly extremely difficult, and for rather more than a mile is wholly impracticable for loaded canoes and their loading is always carried across the portage. There are either down or up. There is therefore a portage for that distance, across which all goods have to be carried, and it is also customary for the passengers who may be on [b]oard the canoes coming down, to land, at the top and proceed along the path to the bottom of the rapid, there again to reem re embark and launch into Lake Winipie.

The foot of this important pass affords an excellent

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