OF THE POLAR SEA. 



7 



Having been apprized of our coming, they 

 had prepared an encampment for us; but 

 We had witnessed too many proofs of their 

 importunity to expect that we could pass 

 the night near them in any comfort, whilst 

 either spirits, tobacco, or sugar remained in 

 our possession ; and therefore preferred to 

 go about two miles further along the river, 

 and to encamp among a cluster of fine pine 

 trees, after a journey of sixteen miles. 



On the morning of the 15th, in proceed- 

 ing along the river, we perceived a strong 

 smell of sulphur, and on the north shore 

 found a quantity of it scattered, which 

 seemed to have been deposited by some 

 spring in the neighbourhood; it appeared 

 very pure and good. We continued our 

 course the whole day along the river, which 

 is about four hundred yards wide, has some 

 islands, and is confined between low land, 

 extending from the bases of the mountains 

 on each side. We put up at the end of 

 thirteen miles, and were then joined by 

 a Chipewyan, who came, as we supposed, 

 to serve as our guide to Pierre au Calumet, 



