218 BACK'S LAND EXPEDITION. 



eighteen in all ; and, in high spirits, they started for theii 

 winter quarters on the eastern shore of Great Slave 

 Lake. 



On the 21st of July they arrived at Portage La Loche, 

 the high ridge of land which divides the waters running 

 into Hudson's Bay from those flowing into the Arctic 

 Ocean. Here they had to carry their canoe and bag- 

 gage over the ridge, a distance of fourteen miles a 

 tedious labor, which consumed eight days. 



Of the scenery at this place Mr. King says: "Within 

 a mile of the termination of the portage, a most exten- 

 sive and magnificent scene burst upon our view, and we 

 discovered ourselves, through an opening in the trees, 

 to be on a hill upwards of a thousand feet high, and at 

 the brink of a tremendous precipice. We were cer- 

 tainly prepared to expect an extensive prospect, but the 

 beautiful landscape before us was far superior to any- 

 thing that could be anticipated from the nature of the 

 country we had hitherto seen. At a depth of two 

 hundred fathoms below the summit on which we stood, 

 the Clear Water River was to be seen winding its ser- 

 pentine course in beautiful meanders for thirty miles, 

 broken here and there, and interrupted by intervening 

 woods ; while 



' the tall pines dwindled as to shrubs, 



In dizziness of distance ! ' 



" The valley, at once refreshed and adorned by the 

 smooth pellucid stream, was embanked by two parallel 

 chains of hills extending towards the west, till it became 

 lost in the purple hue of distance. The inclining heights, 

 here and there covered with stately forests, and occa- 

 sionally interspersed with barren spots or promontories of 

 the most luxuriant verdure, were beautifully contrasted 



