p. 184

95

Brown County

considerable variations in height consequent upon the fluctuations of its principal tributaries which are themselves of considerable size. It is not navigable for any craft except canoes owing to difficult rapids, shoals, and falls. There are no less than eight portages, varying in length from one eight to one and a half miles, where all the loading and the canoes besides, have to be carried over, upon the backs of the party. The ascent of this river with canoes, containing not more than three hundred pounds is a task of incessant toil and danger, and under the most favorable circumstances, requires fourteen days, from its mouth to the entrance of the Wesacota or Brule river with a party. The time of descending through the same extent with canoes lightly loaded is four days. The banks of the river as well as its islands from its mouth as far up as the Big Quinesec Falls, are covered with an excellent growth of white and yellow pine timber, which in process of time must become very valuable.