OF THE POLAR SEA, 



443 



were so much torn, as to be quite inadequate to screen me from the 

 wind, and Peltier and Samandre fearing that I might suffer on the 

 journey in consequence, kindly exchanged with me parts of their 

 dress, desiring me to send them skins in return by the Indians. 

 Having patched up three pair of snow-shoes, and singed a consider- 

 able quantity of skin for the journey, we started on the morning of 

 the 20th. Previous to my departure, I packed up the journals of 

 the officers, the charts, and some other documents, together with 

 a letter addressed to the Under-Secretary of State, detailing the 

 occurrences of the Expedition up to this period, which package was 

 given in charge to Peltier and Samandre, with direction that it 

 should be brought away by the Indians who might come to them. 

 I also instructed them to forward succour immediately on its arrival 

 to our companions in the rear, which they solemnly promised to do, 

 and I left a letter for my friends, Richardson and Hood, to be sent 

 at the same time. I thought it necessary to admonish Peltier, 

 Samandrk, and Adam, to eat two meals every day, in order to keep 

 up their strength, which they promised me they would do. No 

 language that I can use could adequately describe the parting scene. 

 I shall only say there was far more calmness and resignation to the 

 Divine will evinced by every one than could have been expected. 

 We were all cheered by the hope that the Indians would be found 

 by the one party, and relief sent to the other. Those who remained 

 entreated us to make all the haste we could, and expressed their 

 hope of seeing the Indians in ten or twelve days. 



At first starting we were so feeble as scarcely to be able to move 

 forwards, and the descent of the bank of the river through the deep 

 snow was a severe labour. When we came upon the ice, where the 

 snow was less deep, we got on better, but after walking six hours we 

 had only gained four miles, and were then compelled by fatigue to 

 encamp on the borders of Round-Rock Lake. Augustus tried for 



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