112 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



this fellow now stepped fortli in his might as the 

 champion of his friend. Seizing the huge form of 

 Atahk-akoohp, he raised him in his arms like a child, 

 and dashed him on the floor with such violence, that 

 he lay almost senseless, and was so much injured that 

 for above a week afterwards he was unable to leave his 

 bed ; then, declaring he would serve each in turn in 

 the same manner, if they offered to lay a hand on his 

 benefactor, he made the rest sullenly retire. Tamboot 

 had previously killed two of his enemies by sheer 

 exertion of force, without using a weapon; and his 

 reputation for courage and strength stood so high, 

 that none dared to interfere, and thus peace was once 

 more restored. 



Our stock of flour and tea having by this time 

 become exceedingly low, and as but a small quantity 

 of the latter only could be obtained at Carlton, we 

 decided to send the men back to Red River for a 

 supply of these necessaries, required for our journey 

 forwards in the spring. We accordingly engaged the 

 Indian hunter, Keenamontiayoo, and his boy, Misqua- 

 pamayoo, to assist us in hunting, and perform any 

 services w^e might require during their absence. 

 Some delay, however, occurred before this plan could 

 be put into execution, owing to the illness of La 

 Ronde. During this time we were all detained at 

 home, and the days passed by in somewhat dreary 

 monotony. 



