SEAKCH FOB FRANKLIN. 229 



At a later period of the same year, the corpses *f some 

 thirty persons, as well as some graves, were found by the 

 Eskimos on the mainland, and five dead bodies on an 

 island close by points agreeing in description with 

 Montreal Island aud Point Ogle, at the mouth of the river 

 above referred to. Some of the unfortunate band must 

 have survived even as late as May or June, (or until the 

 return of the wild fowl,) as shots had been heard about 

 that time, and fresh bones and feathers gathered in the 

 immediate vicinity. 



The melancholy news was verified by the articles 

 received; but the moment it was learned, an anxious 

 desire was felt to explore the spot where the last moments 

 of the ill-fated crews had been spent, and which Dr. Kae, 

 from the failure of his provisions and the state of the 

 health of his party, had been unable to accomplish. Mr. 

 Anderson, one of their chief factors, was accordingly 

 despatched by the Hudson Bay Company, in 1855, down 

 the Great Fish Eiver, to visit the scene of the cata- 

 strophe, and endeavour to procure additional informa- 

 tion fro;n a careful search for any records that might 

 have been deposited, as well as from the tribes in the 

 vicinity. 



4 



Unfortunately, this journey had a very imperfect result. 

 The expedition was poorly supplied with the means of 

 extending its operations. No interpreter could be pro- 

 cured, and all communication with the tribes had to be 

 carried on by signs. 



Numerous traces were indeed discovered of the missing 



