OF THE POLAR SEA. 



245 



Though the weather was very cold, we 

 travelled more comfortably than at any 

 preceding time since our departure from 

 Cumberland, as we had light carioles, which 

 enabled us to ride nearly the whole day, 

 warmly covered up with a buffalo robe. 

 We were joined by Mr. M'Leod, of the 

 North-West Company, who had kindly 

 brought some things from Green Lake, 

 which our sledges could not carry. Pursu- 

 ing our route along the river, we reached 

 at an early hour the upper extremity of the 

 " Grand Rapid," where the ice was so 

 rough that the carioles and sledges had to 

 be conveyed across a point of land. Soon 

 after noon we left the river, inclining N.E., 

 and directed our course N. W., until we 

 reached Long Lake, and encamped at its 

 northern extremity, having come twenty- 

 three miles. This lake is about fourteen 

 miles long, and from three quarters, to one 

 mile and a half broad ; its shores and islands 

 low, but well wooded. There were frequent 

 snow-showers during the day. 

 February 23, — The night was very stormy, 



