﻿1848. OR CHURCHILL RIVER. 91 



streams run near them, and parallel to them, but 

 do not originate so far to the westward. In their 

 widely spreading upper branches, and their re- 

 stricted trunks, they resemble trees. As they are 

 not separated high on the prairie slopes by an 

 elevated water-shed, they may be^ considered, in 

 reasoning upon the direction of the force which 

 excavated their basins, as one great system, having 

 an eastern direction and outlet, interposed be- 

 tween the Missouri and Mackenzie, which discharge 

 themselves respectively into southern and northern 

 seas. 



The Churchill River is the boundary between 

 the Chepewyans and Crees, but a few of the latter 

 frequent its borders, resorting to Lac la Ronge 

 and Isle a la Crosse posts, along with the Che- 

 pewyans, for their supplies. 



On June the 19th, a fog detained us at our en- 

 campment to a later hour than usual ; when being 

 unwilling to lose all the morning, we went some 

 distance in the thick weather under the guidance of 

 the post-master, who was acquainted with every 

 rock in the neighbourhood. As the sun rose higher 

 the atmosphere cleared, and we ascended the Great 

 Rapid by its southern channel, making a portage 

 part of the way, and poling up the remainder. A 

 recent grave with its wooden cross marked the 

 burial-place of one of the Hudson's Bay Company's 



