304 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
through a narrow channel full of rapids, crossed 
the Portage d’Embarras of seventy-yards; and 
the portage of the Little Rock, of three hundred 
yards, at which another accident happened to one 
of the canoes, by the bowman slipping and letting 
it fall upon a rock, and breaking it in two. Two 
hours were occupied in sewing the detached 
pieces together, and covering the seam with pitch; 
but this being done it was as effective as before. 
After leaving this place we soon came to the next 
portage, of two hundred and seventy-three paces ; 
and shortly afterwards to the Mountain Portage, 
of one hundred and twenty: which is appropri- 
ately named, as the path leads over the summit 
of a high hill, This elevated situation commands 
a very grand and picturesque view, for some miles 
along the river, which at this part is about a mile 
wide. 
We next crossed a portage of one andoed and 
twenty yards ; and then the Pelican Portage, of 
eight hundred paces. Mr. Back took an accurate 
sketch of the interesting scenery which the river 
presents at this place. After descending six 
imiles further we came to the last portage on the 
route to Slave Lake which we crossed, and en- 
camped in its lower end. It is called ‘“ The 
Portage of the Drowned,” and it received that 
name from a melancholy accident which took place 
