In 1606 the supposition was that the river system of North America might be like that of Russia, where easy portages joining rivers flowing in different directions made it possible to travel, most of the way by boat, from the north to the south of the country and return.
"The Virginia Company Of London, 1606-1624"
Wesley Frank Craven
For weeks these men had been pushing their way along this stream, contending with rocks, rapids, and portages.
"If Any Man Sin"
H. A. Cody
Down the Assiniboine, into Red River, and across Portage la Prairie went the great flotilla, green shores winding past in an endless pageant of foliage, all hands falling to at the portages and trailing silently for many pipes, one behind the other, all laden with provisions and packs of furs, the canoes upturned and carried on heads and shoulders.
"The Maid of the Whispering Hills"
Vingie E. Roe