CHAPTER X.
At the western extremity of the lake Huron, and almost
washed by the waters of that pigmy ocean, stands the fort
of Michilimackinac. Constructed on a smaller scale, and
garrisoned by a less numerical force, the defences of
this post, although less formidable than those of the
Detroit, were nearly similar, at the period embraced by
our story, both in matter and in manner. Unlike the latter
fortress, however, it boasted none of the advantages
afforded by culture; neither, indeed, was there a single
spot in the immediate vicinity that was not clad in the
eternal forest of these regions. It is true, that art
and laborious exertion had so far supplied the deficiencies
of nature as to isolate the fort, and throw it under the
protecting sweep of its cannon; but, while this afforded
security, it failed to produce any thing like a pleasing
effect to the eye. The very site on which the fortress
now stood had at one period been a portion of the wilderness
that every where around was only terminated by the sands
on the lake shore: and, although time and the axe of the
pioneer had in some degree changed its features, still
there was no trace of that blended natural scenery that
so pleasingly diversified the vicinity of the sister
fort.
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