290 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
alone has been unable to extend it. Isle Ala 
Crosse is frequented by the Crees and the 
Chipewyans. It is not the dread of the Indians, 
but of one another, that has brought the rival 
Companies so close together at every trading 
post; each party seeking to prevent the other 
from engaging the affections of the natives, and 
monopolizing the trade. Whenever a settlement 
is made by the one, the other immediately fol- 
lows, without considering the eligibility of the 
place; for it may injure its opponent, though it 
cannot benefit itself, which is the first object of 
all other commercial bodies, but the second of 
the fur traders. 
On the evening of the 30th we embarked, and 
entered a wide channel to the northward of the 
forts, and extending towards the north-west. It 
gradually decreased in breadth till it became a 
tiver, which is the third fork of the Missinippi, 
and its current being almost insensible, we en- 
tered the clear lake at ten A.M. on the Ist of 
July. Of this lake, which is very large, no part 
is known except the south border, but its extent 
would lead us to conclude, that its evaporation 
must be supplied by another ‘river to the north- 
ward, especially as the small channel that com- 
Taunicates with Buffalo Lake is motionless. The 
existence of such a Tiver is asserted by the 
