ACEOSS THE SUB-ARCTIOS OF CANADA 



itj of the lake, and about fifty miles from the rapids where 

 we had entered it. The portage led, as we had been informed 

 by the Indians, over the Height of Land to the northward. 

 It was found to be a mile and a quarter long. Its northern 

 end terminated on the shore of another large lake, the level 

 of which was ascertained to be fifty feet lower than Selwyn 

 Lake. Separating the two lakes, rocky hills rose to elevations- 

 of two or three hundred feet (fourteen or fifteen hundred 

 feet above sea level), and between them wound the trail, 

 which was comparatively level and easy. With the help of 

 the natives, our stuff, already considerably reduced, was soon 

 portaged and the canoes again launched and loaded. Before 

 these operations were completed, realizing the fact that we 

 had now reached a summit of the continent, it seemed to> 

 me a most suitable place to leave the emblem of our country. 

 Selecting, therefore, a tall, straight tamarack,- and providing- 

 myself with hatchet and nails, I climbed to the top of the 

 tree and there fixed securely the flag of Canada. As I 

 descended I lopped off the branches and thus made of the 

 tree an excellent flag-pole. 



ilSSl^n'' 



AN ENGLISH-CREE TRAPPER. 



72 



