Canoes of this size are generally managed by eight or ten men, two of whom are picked veterans, who receive double wages, and are stationed, one at the bow and the other at the stern, to keep a look-out and to steer.

They are termed the foreman and the steersman.

The rest, who ply the paddles, are called middle men.

When there is a favorable breeze, the canoe is occasionally navigated with a sail.
The expedition took its regular departure, as usual, from St.Anne's, near the extremity of the island of Montreal, the great starting-place of the traders to the interior.

Here stood the ancient chapel of St.Anne, the patroness of the Canadian voyageurs; where they made confession, and offered up their vows, previous to departing on any hazardous expedition.