262 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



two Esquimaux, Tattannoeuck and Hceootoerock, (the belly and 



the ear.) The English names, which were bestowed upon them 



at Fort Churchill, are Augustus and Junius. The former speaks 

 English. 



We now learnt that Mr. Back proceeded with Beauparlant to Fort 

 Chipewyan, on the 24th of December, to procure stores, having 

 previously discharged J. Belleau from our service at his own request, 

 and with my consent. I was the more induced to comply with this 

 man's desire of leaving us, as he proved to be too weak to perform the 

 duty of bowman which he had undertaken. 



Four dogs were brought up by this party, and proved a great relief 

 to our wood-haulers during the remainder of the season. 



By the arrival of Mr. Wentzel, who is an excellent musician, and 

 assisted us (con amore) in our attempts to amuse the men, we were 

 enabled to gratify the whole establishment with an occasional dance. 

 This is an amusement of which the voyagers are very fond, and not 

 the less so, as it was now and then accompanied by a dram as long 



as our rum lasted. 



On the 5th of February, two Canadians came from Akaitcho for 

 further supplies of ammunition. We were mortified to learn that 

 he had received some further unpleasant reports concerning us from 

 Fort Providence, and that his faith in our good intentions was 

 somewhat shaken. He expressed himself dissatisfied with the quan- 

 tity of ammunition we had sent him, accused us of an intention of 

 endeavouring to degrade him in the eyes of his tribe, and informed 

 us that Mr. Weeks had refused to pay some notes for trifling quan- 

 tities of goods and ammunition that had been given to the hunters 

 who accompanied our men to Slave Lake. 



Some powder and shot, and a keg of diluted spirits were sent to 

 him with the strongest assurances of our regard. 



On the 12th, another party of six men was sent to Fort Provi- 

 dence, to bring up the remaining stores. St. Germain went to 



