CHAPTER XXXI.

THE VOYAGEURS FROM MONTREAL.

Lachine, the fur traders' Mecca--The departure--The flowing bowl--The canoe brigade--The voyageurs' song--"En roulant ma boule"--Village of St. Anne's--Legend of the church--The sailors' guardian--Origin of "Canadian Boat Song"--A loud invocation--"A la Claire Fontaine"--"Sing, nightingale"--At the rapids--The ominous crosses--"Lament of Cadieux"--A lonely maiden sits--The Wendigo--Home of the Ermatingers--A very old canal--The rugged coast--Fort William reached--A famous gathering--The joyous return 304