OF THE POLAR SEA, 57 
day passed three portages and several rapids. 
At the first of these portages the river falls be- 
tween two rocks about sixteen feet, and it is 
necessary to launch the boat over a precipitous 
rocky bank. This cascade is named the T'rout- 
Fall, and the beauty of the scenery afforded a 
subject for Mr. Hood’s pencil. The rocks which 
form the bed of this river are slaty, and present 
sharp fragments, by which the feet of the boat- 
men are much lacerated. The Second Portage, 
in particular, obtains the expressive name. of 
Knife Portage. The length of our voyage to-day 
was three miles. 
On the 28th we indeed dhnchight the peinsisiles 
of Trout River ; and, at noon, arrived at Oxford 
House, on Holey Lake. This was formerly a 
post of some consequence to the Hudson’s Bay 
Company, but at present it exhibits unequivocal 
signs of decay. The Indians have of late years 
been gradually deserting the low or swampy 
country, and ascending the Saskatchawan, where 
animals are more abundant. A few Crees were 
at this time encamped in front of the fort. They 
were suffering under the combined maladies of 
hooping-cough and measles, and looked miserably 
dejected. We endeavoured in vain to prevail on 
one of them to accompany us for the purpose of 
killing ducks, which were numerous, but too shy 
