OF THE POLAR SEA. 299 
oo was swelled to a mile in many places by 
ng muddy islands in the middle covered with 
trees. No more portages interrupted our course, 
but a swift current hurried us towards the quarter 
in which our anticipated discoveries were to com- 
mence. The passing cliffs returned a loud con- 
fusion of echoes to the sprightly canoe song, and 
the dashing paddles ; and the eagles, watching 
with half-closed eyes on the pine tops, started 
from their airy rest, and prepared their drowsy 
pinions for the flight. 
About twenty miles from the Forks are some 
salt pits and plains, said to be very extensive. 
The height of the banks was reduced to twenty 
or thirty feet, and the hills ranged themselves at 
an increased distance from the banks in the same 
variety as those of the Clear Water River. At 
sunset we encamped on a small sandy island, but 
the next morning made a speedy retreat to the 
canoes, the water having nearly overflown our 
encampment. We passed two deserted settle- 
ments of the fur traders on opposite banks, at a 
place called Pierre au Calumet. Beyond it the 
hills disappeared, and the banks were no Jonger 
visible above the trees. The river carries away 
yearly large portions of soil, which increases its 
breadth, and diminishes its depth, rendering the 
water so muddy that it was scarcely drinkable. 
