OF THE POLAR SEA. 



129 



of the canoes, by the bowman slipping and 

 letting it fall upon a rock, and breaking it 

 in two. Two hours were occupied in sewing 

 the detached pieces together, and covering 

 the seam with pitch ; but this being done, 

 it was as effective as before. After leaving 

 this place we soon came to the next portage, 

 of two hundred and seventy-three paces ; 

 and shortly afterwards to the Mountain 

 Portage, of one hundred and twenty ; which 

 is appropriately named, as the path leads 

 over the summit of a high hill. This ele- 

 vated situation commands a very grand and 

 picturesque view, for some miles along the 

 river, which at this part is about a mile 

 wide. 



We next crossed a portage of one hun- 

 dred and twenty yards ; and then the Peli- 

 can Portage, of eight hundred paces. Mr. 

 Back took an accurate sketch of the inte- 

 resting scenery which the river presents at 

 this place. After descending six miles 

 further, we came to the last portage on the 

 route to Slave Lake, which we crossed, and 

 ! encamped in its lower end. It is called 



VOL. II. k 



