LODE

Lode (?), n. [[AS. lād way, journey, fr. līðan to go. See Lead to guide, and cf. Load a burden.]] 1. 1. A water course or way; a reach of water.
Down that long, dark lode . . . he and his brother skated home in triumph. C. Kingsley. 2. 2. (Mining) A metallic vein; any regular vein or course, whether metallic or not.