146 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



"his squaw and cMdren a few miles off in a similar 

 condition. He feasted largely on our fresh meat, 

 and took Ms ease, without attempting to carry any- 

 thing back to his suffering family. He stated that 

 he had left the people at the Montague du Bois in 

 distress for want of food. Atahk-akoohp had gone 

 out to the plains for meat a month before, and had 

 not since been heard of. He told us that Treemiss 

 had also suffered considerably, and could obtain 

 no provisions at the Fort, where he had now gone 

 in person ; and he gave but small hope of finding 

 more buffalo, for reports from all quarters an- 

 nounced their disappearance. 



Next morning Gaytchi Mohkamarn went in pur- 

 suit of the wounded bulls ; Keenamontiayoo to look 

 at our old cache, and search for more game ; whilst 

 the other two remained in camp, preparing meat 

 and cutting wood. 



At night the Hunter returned, reporting that, to 

 his surprise, he. had found the cache intact, the 

 wolverine having followed the track within half a mile 

 of the place, and then turned back, afraid to venture 

 into the open country ; for these animals never stray 

 any great distance away from cover. The wolves had 

 attacked our storehouse with vigour, but although 

 they had gnawed the logs almost through in many 

 places, had not been able to effect an entrance. 

 Later on, Gaytchi Mohkamarn appeared, carrying a 

 tongue and covered with blood. He had killed all 

 the four buffalo, and did not believe there was 

 another within a hundred miles ! Cheadle, with 



