27th, and in the course of the day passed three portages and several
rapids. At the first of these portages the-river falls between two
rocks about sixteen feet, and it is necessary to launch the boat over
a precipitous rocky bank. This cascade is named the Trout-Fall,
and the beauty of the scenery afforded a subject for Mr. Hood’s
pencil. The rocks which form the bed of this river are slaty, and
present sharp fragments, by which thefeet of the boatmen are much
lacerated. The Second Portage in particular, obtains the expressive
name of Knife Portage. The length of our voyage to-day was three
miles.
On the 28th we passed through the remainder of Trout Eiver;
and, at noon, arrived at Oxford House, on Holey Lake. This was
formerly a post of some consequence to the Hudson’s Bay Company,
but at present it exhibits unequivocal signs of decay. The Indians
have of late years been gradually deserting the low or swampy
country, and ascending the Saskatchawan, where animals are more
abundant. A few Crees were at this time encamped in front of the
fort. They were suffering under hooping-cough and measles, and
looked miserably dejected. We endeavoured in vain to prevail on
one of them to accompany us for the purpose of killing ducks, which
were numerous, but too shy for our sportsmen. We had the satisfaction,
however, of exchanging the mouldy pemmican, obtained at
Swampy Lake, for a better kind, and received, moreover, a small, but
very acceptable, supply of fish. Holey Lake, viewed from an emi-
nence behind Oxford House, exhibits a pleasing prospect; and its
numerous islands, varying much in shape and elevation, contribute to
break that uniformity' of scenery which proves so palling to a traveller
in this country. Trout of a great size, frequently exceeding
forty pounds’ weight, abound in this lake. We left Oxford House
in the afternoon, and encamped on an island about eight miles distant,
having come, during the day, nine miles and a quarter.
At noon, on the 29th, after passing through the remainder of