June, 1868. J The Ttccs Near Ilojjpner^s Creek 357 



taiit and tlie interruptions by rain and storm and by his own suffer- 

 ings, prevented his observations from being- more than approximate. 



Arriving on the east side of the head of Iloppner Inlet, he found 

 three small streams, in one of which was an abundant growth of wood 

 in a cluster of undergrowth showing some creeping trees which spread 

 themselves out. One of these was 1 1 feet in length and 2 inches in 

 diameter at the base. It was seen that '' where a portion of the tree 

 in its creeping position pressed hard upon the earth, it had sent down 

 numerous branches of roots."* 



The river where this wood is in such abundance, empties itself 

 into the one by which he was encamped just before it enters the head of 

 Hoppner's Creek. " It comes down a wild ravine, having steep mount- 

 ain-high sand-banks on either side." Hall wrote with these words : 

 ''When the lakes have their ice loosened, all the three rivers will pom- 

 down their living, dancing waters, when salmon will greatly abound 

 where fresh and salt water mingle." He was at the time heartily tired 

 of walrus, deer-meat, and tood-noo. "His mouth watered in vain for 

 salmon," which Papa and Hannah had failed to secure. 



He explored the region between the head of this inlet and Lyon's 

 Inlet, and, striking across the land to Haviland Bay, arrived on its 

 banks on the 24 th, crossed on its thin ice on the day following, at 

 times through water a foot deep, and at 4 a. m. of the 26tli, regained 

 his encampment at Tal-loon ; the sledge journey had been one of 

 ninety-six days. It was a satisfaction to find the white men whom he 

 had hired in full health. His dogs, too, were in as good condition as 

 when they had started out. His Innuit friends gave him a present of 



* For a most interesting account of trees growing still further north, some of them 3 feet 

 in diameter, found iu a ravine, see Osborn's account of McClure's Northwest Passage ; also, 

 Meacham's report of the trees found on Prince Patrick Island, in lat. 76° 15', long. 121° 40/ 



