OF THE POLAR SEA. 



89 



dreading an attack from their rivals in trade, 

 were on the alert at this place. They ex- 

 amined minutely the spot of encampment, 

 to form a judgment of the number of 

 canoes that had preceded them ; and they 

 advanced, armed, and with great caution, 

 through the woods. Their fears, however, 

 on this occasion, were fortunately ground- 

 less. 



By noon, on the 12th, the boats and their 

 cargoes having been conveyed across the 

 portage, we embarked, and pursued our 

 course. The Saskatchawan becomes wider 

 above the Grand Rapid, and the scenery im- 

 proves. The banks are high, composed of 

 white clay and limestone, and their summits 

 are richly clothed with a variety of firs, 

 poplars, birches and willows. The current 

 runs with great rapidity, and the channel is 

 in many places intricate and dangerous, 

 from broken ridges of rock jutting into the 

 stream. We pitched our tents at the en- 

 trance of Cross Lake, having advanced only 

 five miles and a half. 



Cross Lake is extensive, running towards 



