OF THE POLAR SEA. 



61 



wood prevented us from seeing far beyond 

 the mere banks of the river. 



September 17. — About half-past five in 

 the morning we commenced tracking, and 

 soon came to a ridge of rock which ex- 

 tended across the stream. From this place 

 the boat was dragged up several narrow 

 rocky channels, until we came to the Rock 

 Portage, where the stream, pent in by a 

 range of small islands, forms several cas- 

 cades. In ascending the river, the boats 

 with their cargoes are carried over one of 

 the islands, but in the descent they are shot 

 down the most shelving of the cascades. 

 Having performed the operations of carry- 

 ing, launching, and restowing the cargo, we 

 plied the oars for a short distance, and 

 landed at a depot called Rock House. 

 Here we were informed that the rapids in 

 the upper parts of Hill River were much 

 worse and more numerous than those we 

 had passed, particularly in the present sea- 

 son, owing to the unusual lowness of the 

 water. This intelligence was very mortify- 

 ing, especially as the gentlemen in charge 



