OF THE POLAR SEA. 



181 



across the zenith, from north-west to south- 

 east, which afterwards gave place to a beau- 

 tiful corona borealis. 



August 19. — After crossing a portage of 

 five hundred and ninety-five paces, a small 

 lake and another portage of two thousand 

 paces, which occupied the crews seven 

 hours, we embarked on a small stream, 

 running towards the north-west, which 

 carried us to the lake, where Akaitcho 

 proposed that we should pass the winter. 

 The officers ascended several of the loftiest 

 hills in the course of the day, prompted by 

 a natural anxiety to examine the spot which 

 was to be their residence for many months. 

 The prospect, however, was not then the 

 most agreeable, as the borders of the lake 

 seemed to be scantily furnished with wood, 

 and that of a kind too small for the purposes 

 of building. 



We perceived the smoke of a distant fire 

 which the Indians suppose had been made 

 by some of the Dog-ribbed tribe, who occa- 

 sionally visit this part of the country. 



Embarking at seven next morning, we 



