OF THE POLAR SEA. 



337 



The result of our observations at the Hook's encampment was, 

 latitude 66° 45' 11" longitude 115° 42' 23" W., variation of the 

 compass 46° 7' 30" E. 



We embarked at eleven to proceed on our journey. Akaitcho 

 and his brother, the guide, being in the first canoe, and old 

 Keskarrah in the other. We wished to dispense with the further 

 attendance of two guides, and made a proposition that either 

 of them might remain here, but neither would relinquish the 

 honour of escorting the Expedition to the sea. One of our hunters, 

 however, was less eager for this honour, and preferred remaining 

 with Keskarrah's fascinating daughter. The other four, with the 

 Little Singer, accompanied us, two of them conducting their small 

 canoes in turns, and the rest walking along the beach. 



The river flows over a bed of sand, and winds in an uninter- 

 rupted channel of from three quarters to a mile broad, between 

 two ranges of hills, which are pretty even in their outline, and 

 round backed, but having rather steep acclivities. The immediate 

 borders of the stream consisted either of high banks of sand, or 

 steep gravel cliffs; and, sometimes, where the hills receded to a 

 little distance, the intervening space was occupied by high sandy 

 ridges. 



At three P.M., after passing along the foot of a high range of 

 hills, we arrived at the portage leading to the Bear Lake, to which 

 we have previously alluded. Its position is very remarkable, being 

 situated at the most westerly part of the Copper-Mine Kiver, and 

 at the point where it resumes a northern course, and forces a passage 

 through the lofty ridge of mountains, to which it had run parallel 

 for the last thirty miles. As the Indians travel from hence, with 

 their families, in three days, to the point where they propose stay- 

 ing for us, the distance, I think, cannot exceed forty miles ; and, 

 admitting the course to be due west, which is the direction the 



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