358 AKCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. X. 



Mr. Wentzel, two Canadians, two Indians and their 

 wives, and return to Fort Providence, and, if neces- 

 sary, to Chipewyan, to obtain and hasten the re- 

 quired supplies. This journey was performed on 

 foot, in the midst of winter, and was successful. 

 Wentzel returned from Providence in the month 

 of December, accompanied by two Esquimaux in- 

 terpreters, whom they found at Fort Providence, 

 where they had arrived from the neighbourhood of 

 Chesterfield Inlet ; their long unpronounceable 

 names were now converted into those of Augustus 

 and Junius ; the former understood a little of 

 the English language. Back, always alert when 

 duty required his exertion, proceeded to Chipe- 

 wyan. 



Some traits of the Indian character are given in 

 the report of his long and perilous journey, and of 

 the conduct of the Indians, which deserve to be 

 here noticed. A single instance may be sufficient to 

 stamp their character. " One of the women caught 

 a fine pike, by making a hole in the ice, which she 

 gave to us ; the Indians positively refused to par- 

 take of it, from the idea (as we afterwards learnt) 

 that we should not have sufficient for ourselves — 

 ' we are accustomed to starvation/ said they, ' but 

 vou are not.' The Indians and their wives com- 

 plained of illness and want of rest, which induced 

 Back to serve out to them a flagon of mixed 

 spirits. " It was a satisfaction to me," he says, "to 



