rounded summits. The valleys are less fertile, containing a gravelly
soil, and fewer trees; so that the country has throughout a more
barren aspect.
August 1 lftrHaving caught sufficient trout, white-fish, and carp
yesterday and this morning, to afford the party two hearty meals,
and the men having recovered their fatigue, we proceeded on our
journey, crossed the Upper Carp Portage and embarked on the lake
of that name, where we had the gratification of paddling for ten
miles. We put up at its termination to fish, by the advice of our
guide, and the following observations were then taken: longitude 113°
46' 35" W., variation of the compass 36° 45' 30" E., dip 87° 11' 48".
At this place we first perceived the north end of our dipping-needle
to pass the perpendicular line when the instrument was faced to
the west.
We had scarcely quitted the encampment next day before an
Indian met us, with the agreeable communication, that the hunters
had made several fires, which were certain indications of their having
killed rein-deer. This intelligence inspired our companions with
fresh energy, and they quickly traversed the next portage, and
paddled through the Rein-Deer Lake; at the north side of it we
found the canoes of our hunters, and learned from our guide, that
the Indians usually leave their canoes here, as the water communication
on their hunting grounds is bad. The Yellow-Knife River
had now dwindled into an insignificant rivulet, and we could not
trace it beyond the next lake, except as a mere brook. The latitude
of its source 64° 1' 30" N., longitude 113° 36' W., and its length is
one hundred and fifty-six statute miles. Though this river is of
sufficient breadth and depth for navigating in canoes, yet I conceive
its course is too much interrupted by cascades and rapids for its ever
being used as a channel for the conveyance of merchandise. Whilst
the crews were employed in making a portage over the foot of
Prospect Hill, we ascended to the top of it, and as it is the highest
ground in the neighbourhood, its summit, which is about five hundred
feet above the water, commands an extensive view.
Akaitcho, who was here with his family, pointed out to us the
smoke of the distant fires which the hunters had made. The prospect
is agreeably diversified by an intermixture of hill and valley,
and the appearance of twelve lakes in different directions. On the
borders of these lakes a few thin pine groves occur, but the country
in general is destitute of almost every vegetable, except a few berrybearing
shrubs and lichens, and has a very barren aspect. The hills
are composed of gneiss, but. their. acclivities are covered with a
coarse gravelly soil. There are many large loose stones both on
their sides and summits composed of the same materials as the solid
rock.
We crossed another lake in the evening, encamped, and set the
nets. The chief made a large fire to announce our situation to the
hunters.
August 13.—We caught twenty fish this morning, but they were
small, and furnished but a scanty breakfast for the party. Whilst
this meal was preparing, our Canadian voyagers, who had been for
some days past murmuring at their meagre diet, and strivin gto get
the whole of our little provision to consume at once, broke out
into open discontent, and several of them threatened they would
not proceed forward. unless more food was given to them. This
conduct was the more unpardonable, as they saw we were rapidly
approaching the fires of the hunters, and that provision might soon
be expected. I, therefore, felt the duty incumbent on me to address
them in the strongest manner on the danger of insubordination,
and to assure them of my determination to inflict the heaviest punishment
on any that should persist in their refusal to go on, or in
any other way. attempt to retard the Expedition. I considered this
decisive step necessary, having learned from the gentlemen, , most
intimately acquainted with the character of the Canadian voyagers,