THE EED EIVEK EXPEDITION. 319 



better, and the left bank more thickly settled the 

 opposite side of the river being covered with poplar, 

 aspen, and thick undergrowth. The banks became 

 higher and steeper as we ascended the river, expos- 

 ing to view a section which would have delighted a 

 geological explorer. The surface was composed ap- 

 parently of alluvial clay and vegetable mould, four 

 or five feet deep, lying over clay interspersed with 

 boulders to a depth of about ten feet ; under it 

 again was stratified limestone of a highly fossilifer- 

 ous character, and of a light brownish-yellow colour 

 it was the first limestone we had seen during our 

 journey. The upper half of the banks was nearly 

 perpendicular ; the lower half, being composed of 

 debris from the clay, boulders, and disintegrated 

 limestone, formed an easy slope. When wet, the 

 mud formed from these substances is of such a 

 soapy and sticky nature that it is almost impossible 

 to walk over it without losing your shoes. 



As we pulled in to shore in front of the Stone Fort, 

 we were welcomed by cheers from all the people, 

 who, from below, had proceeded there on horseback 

 as soon as they saw us row past their farms. The 

 union-jack was hoisted by the servants of the Com- 

 pany an emblem of nationality that none had dared 

 to display for many months. Joy was written on 

 every one's countenance. 



The Lower or Stone Fort is twenty-one and a half 

 miles by road from Fort Garry, and stands on the 



