OF THE POLAR SEA. 



37 



27th, and in the course of the day passed three portages and several 

 rapids. At the first of these portages the river falls between two 

 rocks about sixteen feet, and it is necessary to launch the boat over 

 a precipitous rocky bank. This cascade is named the Trout-Fall, 

 and the beauty of the scenery afforded a subject for Mr. Hood's pen- 

 cil. The rocks which form the bed of this river are slaty, and pre- 

 sent sharp fragments, by which the feet of the boatmen are much 

 lacerated. The Second Portage, in particular, obtains the expressive 

 name of Knife Portage. The length of our voyage to-day was three 

 miles. 



On the 28 th we passed through the remainder of Trout Kiver ; 

 and, at noon, arrived at Oxford House, on Holey Lake. This was 

 formerly a post of some consequence to the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany, but at present it exhibits unequivocal signs of decay. The 

 Indians have of late years been gradually deserting the low or 

 swampy country, and ascending the Saskatchawan, where animals 

 are more abundant. A few Crees were at this time encamped in 

 front of the fort. They were suffering under the combined maladies 

 of hooping-cough and measles, and looked miserably dejected. We 

 endeavoured in vain to prevail on one of them to accompany us for 

 the purpose of killing ducks, which were numerous, but too shy for 

 our sportsmen. We had the satisfaction, however, of exchanging 

 the mouldy pemmican, obtained at Swampy Lake, for a better kind, 

 and received, moreover, a small, but very acceptable, supply of 

 fish. Holey Lake, viewed from an eminence behind Oxford House, 

 exhibits a pleasing prospect; and its numerous islands, varying 

 much in shape and elevation, contribute to break that uniformity 

 of scenery which proves so palling to a traveller in this country. 

 Trout of a great size, frequently exceeding forty pounds weight, 

 abound in this lake. We left Oxford House in the afternoon, and 

 encamped on an island about eight miles distant, having come, 

 during the day, nine miles and a quarter. 



