250 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



obtain our English letters. The latest were dated on the preceding 

 April. They came by way of Canada, and were brought up in Sep- 

 tember to Slave Lake by the North- West Company's canoes. 



We were not so fortunate with regard to our stores ; of ten pieces 

 which had been sent from York Factory by Governor Williams, five 

 of the most essential had been left at the Grand Rapid on the 

 Saskatchawan, owing, as far as we could judge from the accounts 

 that reached us, to the misconduct of the officer to whom they were 

 intrusted, and who was ordered to convey them to Cumberland- 

 House. Being overtaken by some of the North- West Company's 

 canoes, he had insisted on their taking half of his charge as it was 

 intended for the service of Government. The North- West gentle- 

 men objected, that their canoes had already got a cargo in, and that 

 they had been requested only to convey our stores from Cumberland- 

 House where they had a canoe waiting for the purpose. The Hud- 

 son's-Bay officer upon this deposited our ammunition and tobacco 

 upon the beach, and departed without any regard to the serious 

 consequences that might result to us from the want of them. The 

 Indians, who assembled at the opening of the packet, and sat in 

 silence watching our countenances, were necessarily made acquainted 

 with the non-arrival of our stores, and bore the intelligence with un- 

 expected tranquillity. We took care, however, in our communica- 

 tions with them to dwell upon the more agreeable parts of our 

 intelligence, and they seemed to receive particular pleasure on being 

 informed of the arrival of two Esquimaux interpreters at Slave Lake 

 on their way to join the party. The circumstance not only quieted 

 their fears of opposition from the Esquimaux on our descent to the 

 sea next season, but also afforded a substantial proof of our influence 

 in being able to bring two people of that nation from such a 

 distance. 



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Akaitcho, who is a man of great penetration and shrewdness, duly 

 appreciated these circumstances ; indeed he has often surprised us 



