OF THE POLAR SEA. 159 



had just left, terminated by another range 

 of trap hills, between whose tops the sum- 

 mits of some distant blue mountains ap- 

 peared. Our reliance on the information 

 of the guides, which had been for some 

 time shaken, was now quite at an end, and 

 we feared that the sea was still far distant. 

 The flat country here is covered with grass, 

 and is devoid of the large stones so frequent 

 in the barren grounds ; but the ranges of 

 trap hills, which seem to intersect it at 

 regular distances, are quite barren. A 

 few decayed stunted pines were standing 

 on the borders of the river. In the even- 

 ing we had the gratification of meeting 

 Junius, who was hastening back to inform 

 us that they had found four Esquimaux 

 tents at the fall, which we recognised to be 

 the one described by Mr. Hearne. The 

 inmates were asleep at the time of their 

 arrival, but rose soon afterwards, and then 

 Augustus presented himself, and had some 

 conversation across the river. He told 

 them the white people had come, who would 

 make them very useful presents. The in- 



