OF THE POLAR SEA. 



Ill 



been unable to extend it. Isle a la Crosse 

 is frequented by the Crees and Chipewyans. 

 It is not the dread of the Indians, but of 

 one another, that has brought the rival 

 Companies so close together at every trad- 

 ing post ; each party seeking to prevent the 

 other from engaging the affections of the 

 natives, and monopolizing the trade. When- 

 ever a settlement is made by the one, the 

 other immediately follows, without consi- 

 dering the eligibility of the place ; for it 

 may injure its opponent, though it cannot 

 benefit itself, and that advantage which is 

 the first object of all other commercial 

 bodies, becomes but the second with the fur 

 traders. 



On the evening of the 30 th we embarked, 

 and entered a wide channel to the north- 

 ward of the forts, and extending towards 

 the north-west. It gradually decreased in 

 breadth till it became a river, which is the 

 third fork of the Missinippi, and its current 

 being almost insensible, we entered the 

 Clear Lake at ten A.M. on the 1st of July. 

 Of this lake, which is very large, no part is 



