It is not easy for any but an eye-witness to form an adequate idea of the exertions of the Orkney boatmen in the navigation of this river.

The necessity they are under of frequently jumping into the water to lift the boats over the rocks, compels them to remain the whole day in wet clothes, at a season when the temperature is far below the freezing point.

The immense loads too, which they carry over the portages, is not more a matter of surprise than the alacrity with which they perform these laborious duties.
At six on the morning of the 21st, we left our encampment, and soon after arrived at the Mossy Portage, where the cargoes were carried through a deep bog for a quarter of a mile.

The river swells out, above this portage, to the breadth of several miles, and as the islands are numerous there are a great variety of channels.

Night overtook us before we arrived at the _Second Portage_, so named from its being the second in the passage down the river.