OF THE POLAR SEA. 333 
very strong rapids, and over another portage into 
PaerOw lake ; we encamped on an island in the 
middle of it, to set the nets ; but they only yielded 
a few fish, and we had a very scanty supper, as 
it was necessary to deal out our provision spar- 
ingly. The longitude 114° 27' 03” W. and vari- 
ation 33° 04” E., were observed. : 
We had the mortification of finding the nets en- 
tirely empty next morning, an untoward circum- 
stance that discouraged our voyagers very much ; 
and they complained of being unable to support 
the fatigue to which they were daily exposed, on 
their present scanty fare. We had seen with re- 
gret that the portages were more frequent as we 
advanced to the northward, and feared that their 
strength would fail, if provision were not soon 
obtained, We embarked at six, proceeded to the 
head of the lake, and crossed a portage of two 
thousand five hundred paces, leading over ridges 
of sand-hills, which nourished pines of a larger 
size than we had lately seen. This conducted 
us to Mossy Lake, from whence we regained the 
river, after traversing another portage. The 
Birch and Poplar Portages next followed, and 
beyond these we came to a part where the river 
takes a great circuit, and its course is interrupted 
by several heavy falls. The guide, therefore, 
advised us to quit it, and proceed through a 
