OF THE POLAR SEA 



131 



by the wild scenery which appeared immediately below our feet. 

 There the eye penetrates into vast ravines from two to three hun- 

 dred feet in depth, that are clothed with trees, and lie on either side 

 of the narrow pathway descending to the river over eight successive 

 ridges of hills. At one spot termed the Cockscomb, the passenger 

 stands insulated as it were on a small slip, where a false step might 

 precipitate him into the glen. From this place Mr. Back took an 

 interesting and accurate sketch of the view, to enable him to do 

 which, we encamped early, having come twenty-one miles. 



The Methye Portage is about twelve miles in extent, and over this 

 space the canoes and all their cargoes are carried, both in going to 

 and from the Athabasca department. It is part of the range of 

 mountains which separates the waters flowing south from those flow- 

 ing north. According to Sir Alexander Mac Kenzie, " this range of 

 hills continues in a S.W. direction until its local height is lost be- 

 tween the Saskatchawan and Elk Eivers, close on the banks of the 

 former, in latitude 53° 36' N., longitude 113° 45' W., when it appears 

 to take its course due north." Observations, taken in the spring by 

 Mr. Hood, place the north side of the portage in latitude 56° 41' 40" N., 



O -,/ ^~*n 



longitude 109° 52' 15" W., variation 25° 2' 30" E., dip 85° 7 2 



At daylight on the 14th we began to descend the range of hills 

 leading towards the river, and no small care was required to pre- 

 vent the sledges from being broken in going down these almost 

 perpendicular heights, or being precipitated into the glens on each 

 side. As a precautionary measure the dogs were taken oiF, and 

 the sledges guided by the men, notwithstanding which they de- 

 scended with amazing rapidity, and the men were thrown into the 

 most ridiculous attitudes in endeavouring to stop them. When we 

 had arrived at the bottom I could not but feel astonished at the labo- 

 rious task which the voyagers have twice in the year to encounter at 

 this place, in conveying their stores backwards and forwards. We 

 went across the Clear Water River, which runs at the bases of these 



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