eable. I went to see their
Indian corn, which was at that time [early in August] far advanced for
the season.'

[Illustration: CHAMPLAIN'S ROUTE, 1615-16]

Champlain's route through the district between Carmaron and Cahaigue
can best be followed in Father Jones's map of Huronia.[4] The points
which Champlain names are there indicated, in each case with as careful
identification of the locality as we are ever likely to get. For those
who are not specialists in the topography of Huronia it may suffice
that Champlain left Matchedash Bay not far from Penetanguishene, and
thence went to Carmaron at the very north of the peninsula. Returning,
he passed through some of the largest of the Huron villages, and after
sixteen days came out at Cahaigue, which was situated {107} close to
Lake Simcoe and almost on the site of the modern Hawkestone. It was
here that most of the Huron warriors assembled for the great expedition
against the Onondagas. Setting out on their march, they first went a
little to the northward, where they were joined on the shores of Lake
Couchiching by another contingent. The party thus finally made up,
Champlain's line of advance first took him to Sturgeon Lake.
Afterwards it pursued that important waterway which is represented by
the Otonabee river, Rice Lake, and the river Trent. Hence the warriors
entered Lake Ontario by the Bay of Quinte.

This country between Lake Simcoe and the Bay of Quinte seems to have
pleased Champlain greatly. He saw it in September, when the
temperature was agreeable and when the vegetation of the forest could
be enjoyed without the torment inflicted by mosquitoes. 'It is
certain,' he says, 'that all this region is very fine and pleasant.
Along the banks it seems as if the trees had been set out for ornament
in most places, and that all these tracts were in former times
inhabited by savages who were subsequently compelled to abandon them
from fear of their enemies. Vines and nut trees are here very
numerous. {108} Grapes mature, yet there is always a very pungent
tartness, which is felt remaining in the throat when one eats them in
large quantities, arising from defect of cultivation. These localities
are very pleasant when cleared up.'

From the Bay of Quinte the war-party skirted the east shore of Lake
Ontario, crossing the head of the St Lawrence, and thence following the
southern shore about fourteen leagues. At this point the Indians
concealed all their can