hundred yards in length, haying a descent of from ten to fifteen
feet. It is bounded on each side by high walls of red sand-stone,
upon which rests a series of lofty green hills. On its north side,
close to the east bank, is the low rocky island which the Esquimaux
had deserted. The surrounding scenery was accurately delineated
in a sketch taken by Mr. Hood. We caught forty excellent salmon
and white fish in a single net below the rapid. We had not seen
any trees during this day’s journey; pur fuel consisted of small
willows and pieces of dried wood that were picked up near the
encampment. The ground is well clothed with grass, and nourishes
most of the shrubs and herry-bearing plants that we have seen north
o f Fort Enterprise ; and the country altogether has a richer appearance
than the barren lands of the Copper Indians. We had a
distinct view of the sea from the summit of a hill behind the tents;
it appeared choked with ice and full of islands.
On the morning of the 16th three men were sent up the river
to search for dried wood to make floats for the nets. Adam, the
interpreter, was also despatched with a Canadian, to inform Akaiteho
of the flight of the Esquimaux. We were preparing to go down to
the sea in one of the canoes, leaving Mr. Back to await the return
of the men who were absent; but just as the crew were putting
the canoe in the water, Adam returned in the utmost consternation,
and informed us that a party of Esquimaux were pursuing the men
whom we had sent to collect floats. The orders for embarking were
instantly countermanded, and we went with a part of our men to
their rescue. We soon met our people returning at a slow pace,
and learned that they had come unawares upon the Esquimaux
party, which consisted of six men, with their women and children,
who were travelling towards the rapid with a considerable number
of dogs carrying their baggage. The women hid themselves on
the first alarm, but the men advanced, and stopping at some distance
from our men, began to dance in a circle, tossing up their