296 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



and it is to be remarked, that unless Mr. Wentzel had possessed a 

 competent knowledge of the Copper Indian language, we should not 

 have learned what we did. 



Although perfectly satisfied of his baseness, I could not dispense 

 with his services ; and I had no other resource but to give him a 

 serious admonition, and desire him to return to his duty, after endea- 

 vouring to work upon his fears by an assurance, that I would cer- 

 tainly convey him to England for trial if the Expedition should be 

 stopped through his fault. He replied, " It is immaterial to me 

 where I lose my life, whether in England, or accompanying you to 

 the sea, for the whole party will perish." After this discussion, 



i 



however, he was more circumspect in his conduct. 



On the 28th we received a small supply of meat from the 

 Indian lodges. They have now moved into a lake, about twelve 



miles distant from us, in expectation of the deer coming soon to the 

 northward. 



On the 29th Akaitcho arrived at the house, having been sent for 

 to make some arran gements respecting the procuring of provision, 

 and that we might learn from him what his sen timents were with 

 regard to accompanying us on our future journey. Next morning 

 we had a conference, which I commenced by shewing him the charts 

 and drawings that were prepared to be sent to England, and ex- 

 plaining fully our future intentions. He appeared much pleased 

 at this mark of attention, and, when his curiosity was satisfied, 

 began his speech by saying, that " although a vast number of idle 

 rumours had been floating about the barren grounds during the 

 winter," yet he was convinced that the representations that had 

 been made to him at Fort Providence regarding the purport of 

 the Expedition were perfectly correct. I next pointed out to him 

 the necessity of our proceeding with as little delay as possible 

 during the short period of the year that was fit for our opera- 

 tions, and that to do so it was requisite we should have a large supply 



