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CHAP. IV.

Difficult and toilsome Ascent of Hoar Frost River. Striking Scenery along its Course. - Illness of the Interpreter. - Encampment upon Cook's Lake. - Ascent of another small River full of Rapids.- Desertion of two Indians. — Perplexity of the Guide as to the proper Course, and Attempt to desert. Succession of Streams and Lakes. - Indian Account of the The-lew or Teh-lon. Clinton-Colden, Aylmer, and Sussex Lakes. Discovery of the Thlew-ee-choh.

A NEW Scene now opened upon us. Instead of the gentle paddling across the level lake, by which we had been enabled to penetrate thus far, we had to toil up the steep and rocky bed of an unknown stream, on our way to the high lands, from which the waters take an opposite course. The labours which had been hitherto so cheerfully undergone were little more than those to which voyageurs are accustomed; but in what was to come, it was evident that extraordinary efforts and patient perseverance would be required, to overcome the difficulties of our route. We now learned from the Indians that the fall, to which, after my enterprising friend Beverley, the companion of Sir E. Parry

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in his attempt to reach the Pole, I have given the name of Beverley's Fall, was the commencement of a series of appalling cascades and rapids, which, according to their account, were the distinguishing characteristics of Hoar Frost River; and, indeed, some fifteen or twenty small canoes, concealed in the bushes, belonging, as was conjectured, to my old friend Akaitcho and his party, who were hunting on the barren Lands, showed pretty clearly the obstacles we might expect to encounter. Maufelly, however, maintained that it was the only practicable route, and added, that by following its channel we should shorten the distance, and not improbably fall in with an old man who could give all the information I required about the Thlew-eechoh.

The greater part of our lading, consisting of three bags of pemmican, with a little ammunition tobacco, &c., had been carried up the ascent the evening before; and on the morning of the 19th of August, after emptying a net which had been set, of a few blue and white fish, the remainder was taken. The principal difficulty consisted in bearing the canoe over a slippery and uneven acclivity, thickly beset with trees and underwood. The first ridge, where we rested, was formed of sand and débris from the surrounding rocks, mostly red felspar and quartz.

Having crossed a swamp, and again ascended, we got to a point above a second fall, where a little smooth pool, on which the canoe was launched, afforded a short respite to the wearied men. Here I dismissed La Prise, who, with his two little boys, had assisted in conveying the things so far. He was intrusted with a letter for Mr. McLeod, in which I directed him to begin building an establishment, as soon as he should reach the east end of the lake, which, as I calculated, could not be more than a day's march from the river; informing him at the same time that I might be expected some time in September.

A few hundred yards' paddling along the pool brought us in sight of fresh clouds of spray, rising from a third and a fourth fall, too dangerous to approach; and though the woods were extremely thick, and consisted, for the greater part, of stunted swamp fir, which gave us infinite trouble to force through, still there was no alternative, and clambering over the fallen trees, through rivulets and across swamps, as well as our burthens would permit, we at length emerged into an open space. It was barren and desolate; crag was piled upon crag, to a height of two thousand feet from the base; and the course of the contracted river, now far beneath, was marked by an uninterrupted line of foam. After

frequent halts to recover breath, the summit of the difficult pass was attained; the blue lake which we had left, lay as if spread at our feet; and such was the beauty of the varied outline, that we were captivated into a momentary forgetfulness of our fatigue. But severe toil will tell on the frame, however resolute the will; and the interpreter, who had for several days shown symptoms of indisposition, became now so exhausted as to be barely able to proceed. The Indians aided him by lightening his burthen, being themselves in high spirits, from having seen some fresh tracks of deer, which, according to their notions, indicated an early hunting season, as it proved that those ever shifting animals had begun to migrate from the north. The descent towards the river was at first gradual, for the path lay over the even though rounded surface of the rocks. But mosscovered swamps soon followed, and then a precipice so abrupt and deep, that, with no other incumbrance than my cloak and gun, it required all my vigilance and exertion to save myself from falling with the loose masses which slid away from my feet.

The people with the canoe stood resolutely to their work, and after a slip or fall, recovered themselves with such adroitness, that, after an interval of protracted anxiety, I enjoyed the satisfaction of beholding her placed safe and sound in