OF THE POLAR SEA. 



215 



wet uncomfortable state, as it had rained through the night until 

 four A.M. The fifth grassy lake was crossed, and four others, with 

 their intervening portages, and we returned to the river by a portage 

 of one thousand four hundred and fifteen paces. The width of the 

 stream here is about one hundred yards, its banks are moderately 

 high, and scantily covered with wood. We afterwards twice car- 

 ried the cargoes along its banks to avoid a very stoney rapid, and then 

 crossed the first Carp portage in longitude 114° 2' 01" W., variation 

 of the compass 32° 30' 40" E., and encamped on the borders of 

 Lower Carp Lake. 



The chief having told us that this was a good lake for fishing, 

 we determined on halting for a day or two to recruit our men, of 

 whom three were lame, and several others had swelled legs. The 

 chief himself went forward to look after the hunters, and he pro- 

 mised to make a fire as a signal if they had killed any rein-deer. 

 All the Indians had left us in the course of yesterday and to-day to 

 seek these animals, except the guide Keskarrah. 



August 10. — The nets furnishing only four carp, we embarked for 

 the purpose of searching for a better spot, and encamped again on the 

 shores of the same lake. The spirits of the men were much revived 

 by seeing some recent traces of rein-deer at this place, which cir- 

 cumstance caused them to cherish the hope of soon getting a supply 

 of meat from the hunters. They were also gratified by finding 

 abundance of blue berries near to the encampment, which made an 

 agreeable and substantial addition to their otherwise scanty fare. We 

 were teazed by sand-flies this evening, although the thermometer 

 did not rise above 45°. The country through which we have tra- 

 velled for some days consists principally of granite", intermixed in some 

 spots with mica slate, often passing into clay-slate. But the borders 

 of Lower Carp Lake, where the gneiss formation prevails, are com- 

 posed of hills, having less altitude, fewer precipices, and more 

 rounded summits. The valleys are less fertile, containing a gra- 



