120 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



ten bags of pemmican, from Isle a la 

 Crosse, but that they were found to be 

 rotten. Thus were we unexpectedly de- 

 prived of the most essential of our stores, 

 for we knew Fort Chipewyan to be destitute 

 of provisions, and that Mr. Franklin de- 

 pended upon us for a supply, whereas 

 enough did not remain for our own use. 

 On the 9th the canoes and cargoes reached 

 the north side of the portage. Our people 

 had selected two bags of pemmican less 

 mouldy than the rest, which they left on the 

 beach. Its decay was caused by some 

 defect in the mode of mixing it. 



On the 10th we embarked in the Clear 

 Water River, and proceeded down the 

 current. The hills, the banks, and bed of 

 the river, were composed of fine yellow 

 sand, with some limestone rocks. The 

 surface soil was alluvial. At eight A.M. 

 we passed a portage on which the limestone 

 rocks were singularly scattered through the 

 woods, bearing the appearance of houses 

 and turrets overgrown with moss. The 

 earth emitted a hollow sound, and the river 



