OF THE POLAR SEA. 



221 



from one small lake to another over four portages, then crossed a 

 lake about six miles in diameter, and encamped on its border, where, 

 finding pines, we enjoyed the luxury of a good fire, which we had 

 not done for some days. At ten P.M. the aurora borealis appeared 

 very brilliant in an arch across the zenith, from north-west to south- 

 east, which afterwards gave place to a beautiful 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 paddled to the western 

 extremity of the lake, and there found a small river, which flows 

 out of it to the S.W. To avoid a strong rapid at its commencement, 

 we made a portage, and then crossed to the north bank of the 

 river, where the Indians recommended that the winter establish- 

 ment should be erected, and we soon found that the situation they 

 had chosen possessed all the advantages we could have desired. The 

 trees were numerous, and of a far greater size than we had sup- 

 posed them to be yesterday. Some of the pines being thirty or 

 forty feet high, and two feet in diameter at the root. We deter- 

 mined on placing the house on the summit of the bank, which 

 commands a beautiful prospect of the surrounding country. The 



