OF THE POLAR SEA. 297 
Arctic Sea, across an obstacle to navigation so 
stupendous as this; and persevering has been 
the industry which drew riches from a source so 
remote, 
On the 8th two men arrived, and informed us, 
that they had brought us our ten bags of pemmi- 
can, from Isle 4 la Crosse, but that they were 
found to be rotten. Thus were we unexpectedly 
deprived of the most essential of our stores, for 
we knew Fort Chipewyan to be destitute of pro- 
visions, and that Mr. Franklin depended upon us 
for a supply, whereas, enough did not remain for 
our own use. On the 9th, the canoes and car- 
goes reached the north side of the portage. Our 
people had selected two bags of pemmican less 
mouldy than the rest, which they left on the 
beach. Its decay was caused by some defect in 
the mode of mixing it. 
On the 10th, we embarked in the Clear Water 
River ; and proceeded down the current. The 
hills, the banks, and bed of the river, were com- 
posed of fine yellow sand, with some limestone 
rocks. The surface soil was alluvial. At eight 
A.M. we passed a portage on which the limestone 
rocks were singularly scattered through the woods, 
bearing the appearance of houses and turrets 
overgrown with moss. The earth emitted a hol- 
low sound, and the river was divided by rocks, 
