OF THE POLAR SEA. 161 



US had visited them for many years was evident, 

 from their ignorance of the spots most abundant 

 in metal. 



The impracticability of navigating the river 

 upwards from the sea, and the want of wood for 

 forming an establishment, would prove insuper- 

 able objections to rendering the collection of 

 copper at this part worthy of mercantile specula- 

 tion. 



We had the opportunity of surveying the coun- 

 try from several elevated positions. Two or 

 three small lakes only were visible, still partly 

 frozen ; and much snow remained on the moun- 

 tains. The trees were reduced to a scanty fringe 

 on the borders of the river, and every side was 

 beset by naked mountains. 



The day was unusually warm, and, therefore, 

 favourable for drying the meat. Our whole stock 

 of provision, calculated for preservation was suf- 

 ficient for fourteen days, without any diminution 

 of the ordinary allowance of three pounds to each 

 man per day. The situation of our tents was 

 67° 10' 30" N., longitude 116^ 25' 45" W. 



June 12. — The Indians knowing the course of 

 the river below this point to be only a succession 

 of rapids, dechned taking their canoes any fur- 

 ther ; but as I conceived one of them would be 

 required, should we be compelled to walk along 



