186 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



the Missinnippi; gulls, ducks, pigeons, goatsuckers, and the raven ; 

 the geese and swans pay a momentary visit in passing to the north 

 and returning. 



There was little in the forts differing from the establishments that 

 we had before seen. The ground on which they are erected is sandy, 

 and favourable to cultivation. Curiosity, however, was satisfied by 

 the first experiment, and utility alone has been unable to extend it. 

 Isle a la Crosse is frequented by the Crees and the Chipewyans. It 

 is not the dread of the Indians, but of one another, that has brought 

 the rival Companies so close together at every trading post ; each 

 party seeking to prevent the other from engaging the affections of 

 the natives, and monopolizing the trade. Whenever a settlement is 

 made by the one, the other immediately follows, without considering 

 the eligibility of the place ; for it may injure its opponent, though 

 it cannot benefit itself, which is the first object of all other com- 

 mercial bodies, but the second of the fur traders. 



On the evening of the 30th we embarked, and entered a wide 

 channel to the northward 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 Missinnippi, 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 known except 

 the south border, but its extent would lead us to conclude, that its 

 evaporation must be supplied by another river to the northward, 

 especially as the small channel that communicates with Buffalo Lake 

 is motionless. The existence of such a river is asserted by the In- 

 dians, and a shorter passage might be found by it across the height 

 of land to the Clear Water Eiver, than the portage from the Me- 

 thye Lake. 



In Buffalo Lake the wind was too strong for us to proceed, and we 

 therefore encamped upon a gravel beach thrown up by the waves. 

 We embarked at three A.M. July 2d, and at four P.M., entered the 



