OF THE POLAR SEA. 195 
along the river, we reached at an early hour the 
upper extremity of the ‘: Grand Rapid,” where 
the ice was so rough that the carioles and sledges 
had to be conveyed across a point of land. Soon 
after noon we left thé river, inclining N.E., and 
directed our course N.W., until we reached Long 
Lake, and encamped at its northern extremity, 
having come twenty-three miles. This lake is 
about fourteen miles long, and from three quar- 
ters to one mile and a half broad : its shores and 
islands low, but well wooded. There were fre- 
quent snow-showers during the day. : 
“ February 23,—The night was very stormy, 
> wind became more moderate in the 
ng. We passed to-day through several 
nameless lakes and swamps before we came to 
Train Lake, which received its name from being 
the place where the traders procured the birch 
to make the sledges, or traineaux ; but this wood 
has been all used, and there only remain pines 
and a few poplars. We met some sledges laden 
with fish, kindly sent to meet us by Mr. Clark, of 
the Hudson’s Bay Company, directly he heard of 
our approach. Towards the evening the weather 
_ became much more unpleasant, and we were ex- 
posed to a piercingly cold wind, and much snow- 
drift, in traversing the Isle 4 la Crosse Lake; we 
were, therefore, highly pleased at reaching the 
) 
2 
