308 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



had brought from England only ammunition, tobacco, and spirits ; 

 and that, being ignorant what other articles the Indians required, 

 we were dependent on the traders for supplies ; but he must be 

 aware, that every endeavour had been used on our parts to procure 

 them, as was evinced by Mr. Back's journey to Fort Chipewyan. 

 With respect to the ammunition and tobacco, we had been as much 

 disappointed as themselves in not receiving them, but this was to 

 be attributed to the neglect of those to whom they had been in- 

 trusted. This explanation seemed to satisfy him. After some 

 minutes of reflection, his countenance became more cheerful, and 

 he made inquiry, whether his party might go to either of the trading 

 posts they chose on their return, and whether the Hudson's Bay 

 Company were rich, for they had been represented to him as a poor 

 people ? I answered him, that we really knew nothing about the 

 wealth of either Company, having never concerned ourselves with 

 trade, but that all the traders appeared to us to be respectable. 

 Our thoughts, I added, are fixed solely on the accomplishment 

 of the objects for which we came to the country. Our success de- 

 pends much on your furnishing us with provision speedily, that we 

 may have all the summer to work in ; and if we succeed, a ship will 

 soon bring goods in abundance to the mouth of the Copper-Mine 

 River. The Indians talked together for a short time after this con- 

 versation, and then the leader made an application for two or three 

 kettles and some blankets to be added to the present to his youn 

 men; we were unable to spare him any kettles, but the officers 

 promised to give a blanket each from their own beds. 



Dinner was now brought in, and relieved us for a time from their 

 importunity. The leading men, as usual, received each a portion 

 from the table. When the conversation was resumed, the leader 

 renewed his solicitations for goods, but it was now too palpable to 

 be mistaken, that he aimed at getting every thing he possibly could, 

 and leaving us without the means of making any presents to the 



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