838 CAPTAIN BACK'S LAND EXPEDITION— 1833-25. 



again too clearly visible. Towards evening all hope of immediate progress 

 was precluded by extensive and unbroken fields of ice stretching to the ex- 

 treme point of vision. It being impossible to get through the ice, there was 

 only one alternative for the indomitable explorers — they must go over it. 

 And over it they did go, unloading and dragging the boat until they again 

 reached open water, and were again able to launch her. On the evening of 

 the 19th, they had reached lat. 65° 48' N., long. 99° 40' W. On the follow- 

 ing day. Lakes Garry and Macdougal were discovered and named. Emerg- 

 ing from the latter lake, the river curved to the north, and the whole force 

 of the water glided smoothly but irresistibly toward two stupendous rocks of 

 gneiss, from five to eight hundred feet high. The hollow roar sounding from 

 the distance warned the voyagers that there was danger ahead ; and having 

 secured the boat in a small curve, near which the river disappeared in its 

 descent, sending up clouds of spray, an examination of this threatening part 

 of the course was made. It was found that at this spot the river made a 

 succession of falls and cascades. The stream was here four hundred yards 

 broad, and its navigation was rendered extremely perilous by the islands and 

 rocks of its channel, around which the waters surged and foamed " with a 

 roar that was heard far and wide. The space occupying the centre, from 

 the first descent to the largest island, was full of sunken rocks of unequal 

 height, over which the rapid foamed, and boiled, and rushed with impetuous 

 and deadly fury. At that part it was I'aised into an arch ; while the sides 

 were yawning and cavernous, swallowing huge masses of ice, and then 

 again tossing the splintered fragments high into the air. A more terrific 

 sight could not well be conceived, and the impression which it produced was 

 apparent on the countenances of the men." It was impossible to carry down 

 the boat on shore ; for even when unloaded, she was too heavy for the men 

 to lift. There was, therefore, no alternative but to try the falls, and steadily 

 and silently the resolute men went about making the preparations for the 

 fearful attempt. Double lines of rope from the bow and stern were held on 

 shore by the most careful of the men, and M'Kay and Sinclair took their 

 accustomed places at the stern and bow, each with a pole in his hands, to 

 keep the boat from dashing against the rock. The perilous descent began, 

 and often was the frail boat dashed headlong toward the rocks, as often, 

 however, to swerve and pass them in obedience to the guidance of the intrepid 

 and skilful men who navigated her. "Still," says Back, "amongst the 

 many descents, she did not escape without some very severe shocks, in one 

 of which the remaining keel-plate was entirely stripped away; but cool, 

 collected, prompt to understand and obey the mutual signs which each made 

 to the other with the hand— for their voices were inaudible— the gallant 

 fellows finally succeeded in guiding her down in safety to the last fall." 



But the narrowest escape of the whole journey was experienced on July 



Digitized by IVIicrosoft® 



