OF THE POLAR SEA. 



213 



much in breadth as did the current in rapidity. It flows between 

 high rocky banks on which there is sufficient soil to support pines, 

 birch, and poplars. Five portages were crossed, then the Rocky 

 Lake, and we finished our labours at the end of the sixth portage. 

 The issue of dried meat for breakfast this morning had exhausted 

 all our stock; and no other provision remained but the portable 

 soups, and a few pounds of preserved meat. At the recommendation 

 of Akaitcho, the hunters were furnished with ammunition, and 

 desired to go forward as speedily as possible, to the part where the 

 rein-deer were expected to be found ; and to return to us with any 

 provision they could procure. He also assured us that in our ad- 

 vance towards them we should come to lakes abounding in fish. 

 Many of the Indians, being also in distress for food, decided on se- 

 parating from us, and going on at a quicker pace than we could 

 travel. 



Akaitcho himself was always furnished with a portion at our meals, 

 as a token of regard which the traders have taught the chiefs to 

 expect, and which we willingly paid. 



The next morning we crossed a small lake and a portage, before 

 we entered the river ; shortly afterwards, the canoes and cargoes 

 were carried a mile along its banks, to avoid three very strong 

 rapids, and over another portage into a narrow lake ; we encamped 

 on an island in the middle of it, to set the nets; but they only 

 yielded a few fish, and we had a very scanty supper ; as it was 

 necessary to deal out our provision sparingly. The longitude 114 

 '27' 03" W., and variation 33° 04" E., were observed. 



We had the mortification of finding the nets entirely empty next 

 morning, an untoward circumstance that discouraged our voyagers 

 very much ; and they complained of being unable to support the 

 fatigue to which they were daily exposed, on their present scanty fare. 

 We had seen with regret that the portages were more frequent as we 

 advanced to the northward, and feared that their strength would 



