OF THE POLAR SEA. 



45 



they became subservient to the Indians, 

 would be removed, and their place be filled 

 by other traders, who would supply their 

 wants in every possible manner. The poor 

 deluded wretches, imagining they would 

 hasten this happy change by destroying 

 their present traders, of whose submission 

 there was no prospect, threatened to extir- 

 pate them. None of these menaces, how- 

 ever, were put in execution. They were 

 probably deterred from the attempt by per- 

 ceiving that a most vigilant guard was kept 

 against them. 



The portion of this extensive lake which 

 is near the establishments, is called " The 

 Lake of the Hills," not improperly, as the 

 northern shore and the islands are high and 

 rocky. The south side, however, is quite 

 level, consisting of alluvial land, subject to 

 be flooded, lying betwixt the different 

 mouths of the Elk River, and much inter- 

 sected by water. The rocks of the northern 

 shore are composed of sienite, over which 

 the soil is thinly spread; it is, however, 

 sufficient to support a variety of firs and 



