OF THE POLAR SEA. 



71 



of the lake, having come during the day 

 nineteen miles and a half on a S.W. course. 



We began the ascent of Trout River early 

 in the morning of the 27th, and in the 

 course of the day passed three portages and 

 several rapids. At the first of these por- 

 tages the river falls between two rocks 

 about sixteen feet, and it is necessary to 

 launch the boat over a precipitous rocky 

 bank. This cascade is named the Trout- 

 Fall, and the beauty of the scenery afforded 

 a subject for Mr. Hood's pencil. The 

 rocks which form the bed of this river are 

 slaty, and present sharp fragments, by which 

 the feet of the boatmen are much lacerated. 

 The Second Portage, in particular, obtains 

 the expressive name of Knife Portage. 

 The length of our voyage to-day was three 

 miles. 



On the 28th we passed through the re- 

 mainder of Trout River, and, at noon, 

 arrived at Oxford House, on Holey Lake. 

 This was formerly a post of some conse- 

 quence to the Hudson's Bay Company, but 

 at present it exhibits unequivocal signs of 



