OF THE POLAR SEA. 293 
of the country had promised, that it banished even 
our sense of suffering from the musquitoes, which 
hovered in clouds about our heads. Two parallel 
chains of hills extended towards the setting sun, 
their various projecting outlines exhibiting the 
several gradations of distance, and the opposite 
bases closing at the horizon. On the nearest 
eminence, the objects were clearly defined by 
their dark shadows; the yellow rays blended 
_ their softening hues with brilliant green on the 
- next, and beyond it all distinction melted into 
gray and purple. In the long valley between, 
the smooth and colourless Clear Water River 
wound its spiral course, broken and shattered by 
encroaching woods. An exuberance of rich 
herbage covered the soil, and lofty trees climbed 
the precipice at our feet, hiding its brink with 
their summits. Impatient as we were, and 
blinded with pain, we paid a tribute of admira- 
tion, which this beautiful landscape is capable of 
exciting, unaided by the borrowed charms of a 
calm atmosphere, glowing with the vivid tints of 
evening. 
We descended to the banks of the Clear Water 
River, and having encamped, the two men re- 
umed to assist their companions. We had some- 
~ times before procured a little rest, by closing the 
tent, and burning wood, or flashing gunpowder 
