North-West Continent of America. t 51 



also abounded in discouraging stories concerning the dan- 

 gers and difficulties which we were to encounter. 



From hence our course was North-North- East two 

 miles, when the river appeared to be inclosed, as it were, 

 with lofty, perpendicular, white rocks, which did not 

 afford us a very agreeable prospect. We now went on 

 shore in order to examine the rapid, but did not perceive 

 any signs of it, though the Indians still continued to mag- 

 nify its dangers ; however, as they ventured down it, in 

 their small canoes, our apprehensions were, consequently, 

 removed, and we followed them at some distance, but 

 did not find any increase in the rapidity of the current ; 

 at length the Indians informed us that we should find no 

 other rapid but that which was now bearing us along* 

 The river at this place is not above three hundred yards 

 in breadth, but on sounding I found fifty fathoms water. 

 At the two rivulets that offer their tributary streams from 

 either side, we found six families, consisting of about 

 thirty-five persons, who gave us an ample quantity of ex- 

 cellent fish, which were, however, confined to white fish, 

 the poisson inconnu, and another of a round form and 

 greenish colour, which was about fourteen inches in length. 

 We gratified them with a few presents, and continued our 

 voyage. The men, however, followed us in fifteen canoes. 



This narrow channel is three miles long, and its course 

 North-North-East. We then steered North three miles, 

 and landed at an encampment of three or more families, 

 containing twenty-two persons, which was situated on the 

 bank of a river, of a considerable appearance, which came 

 from the Eastward. We obtained hares and partridges 

 from these people, and presented in return such articles as 

 greatly delighted them. They very much regretted that 

 they had no goods or merchandize to exchange with us, 

 as they had left them at a lake, from whence the river 

 issued, and in whose vicinity some of their people were 

 employed in setting snares for rein-deer. They engaged to 

 go for their articles of trade, and would wait our return, 

 which we assured them would be within two months. 

 There was a youth among them in the capacity of a slave, 

 whom our Indians understood much better than any of 

 the natives of this country, whom they had yet seen : he 

 was invited to accompanv us, but took the first oppor- 

 tunity to conceal himself, and we saw him no more. 



