278 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



we had come — for they all affirmed, that the lake near them was 

 quite free from ice the day before. 



December 10. — At an early hour we quitted the huts, lashed on 

 sledges as before, with some little addition to our party; and at 

 three hours thirty minutes P.M. arrived at the North-West Fort on 

 Moose-Deer Island, where I was received by Mr. Smith, with 

 whom I had been acquainted at the Athabasca. He said he partly 

 expected me. The same evening I visited Messrs. M 'Vicar and 

 M'Aulay at Hudson's Bay Fort, when I found the reports concern- 

 ing our goods were but too true, there being in reality but five 

 packages for us. I also was informed that two Esquimaux, Augus- 

 tus the chief, and Junius his servant, who had been sent from Fort 

 Churchill by Governor Williams, to serve in the capacity of inter- 

 preters to the Expedition, were at the Fort. The men were short 



of stature but muscular, apparently good-natured, and perfectly ac- 



quainted with the purpose for which they were intended. They had 

 built themselves a snow-house on an adjacent island, where they used 

 frequently to sleep. The following day I examined the pieces, and 

 to my great disappointment found them to consist of three kegs of 

 spirits, already adulterated by the voyagers who had brought them ; 

 a keg of flour, and thirty-five pounds of sugar, instead of sixty. 

 The ammunition and tobacco, the two most essential requisites, were 



left behind. 



I lost no time in making a demand from both parties ; and though 

 their united list did not furnish the half of what was required, yet it 

 is possible that every thing was given by them which could be spared 

 consistent with their separate interests, particularly by Mr. M'Vicar, 

 who, in many articles, gave me the whole he had in his possession. 

 These things were sent away immediately for Fort Enterprise, when 

 an interpreter arrived with letters from Lieutenant Franklin, which 

 referred to a series of injurious reports said to have been propagated 

 against us by some one at Fort Providence. 



