OF THE POLAR SEA. 79 



vigated from York Factory commences. 

 This spot may therefore be considered as 

 one of the smaller sources of Hayes' River. 

 On the other side of the stone the Eche- 

 mamis rises, and taking a westerly direction 

 falls into Nelson River. It is said that 

 there was formerly a stone placed near the 

 centre of this portage on which figures were 

 annually traced, and offerings deposited, by 

 the Indians ; but the stone has been re- 

 moved many years, and the spot has ceased 

 to be held in veneration. Here we were 

 overtaken by Governor Williams, who left 

 York Factory on the 20th of last month in 

 an Indian canoe. He expressed much re- 

 gret at our having been obliged to leave 

 part of our stores at the rock depot, and 

 would have brought them up with him had 

 he been able to procure and man a boat, or 

 a canoe of sufficient size. 



Having launched the boats over the rock, 

 we commenced the descent of the Eche- 

 mamis. This small stream has its course 

 through a morass, and in dry seasons its 

 channel contains, instead of water, merely a 



