v 



OF THE POLAR SEA. 



325 



receive a river. Throughout the day's march the hills on each side 

 of the lake bore a strong resemblance, in height and form, to those 

 about Fort Enterprise. We encamped on the north main shore, 

 among some spruce trees, having walked eight miles and a half. 

 Three or four fish were caught with lines through holes, which the 

 water had worn in the ice. We perceived a slight westerly current 

 at these places. 



It rained heavily during the night, and this was succeeded by a 

 dense fog on the morning of the 28th. Being short of provisions 

 we commenced our journey, though the points of land were not 

 discernible beyond a short distance. The surface of the ice, being 

 honeycombed^ by the recent rains, presented innumerable sharp 

 points, which tore our shoes, and lacerated the feet at every step. 

 The poor dogs, too, marked their path with their blood. 



In the evening the atmosphere became clear, and, at five P.M., 

 we reached the rapid by which Point Lake communicates with 

 Red-Hock Lake. This rapid is only one hundred yards wide, and 

 we were much disappointed at rinding the Copper-Mine River such 

 an inconsiderable stream. The canoes descended the rapid, but the 

 cargoes were carried across the peninsula, and placed again on the 

 sledges, as the next lake was still frozen. We passed an extensive 

 arm, branching to the eastward, and encamped just below it, on the 

 western bank, among spruce pines, having walked six miles of direct 

 distance. The rolled stones on the beach are principally red clay 

 slate, hence its Indian appellation, which we have retained. 



We continued our journey at the usual hour next morning. At 

 noon the variation was observed to be 47° east. Our attention was 

 afterwards directed to some pine branches, scattered on the ice, 

 which proved to be marks placed by our hunters, to guide us to the 

 spot where they had deposited the carcasses of two small deer- 

 This supply was very seasonable, and the men cheerfully dragged 

 the additional weight. Akaitcho, judging from the appearance of 



