368 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. X. 



bones, for the purpose of extracting some nourishment from 

 them by boiling, we regretted our inability to relieve them, 

 but little thought that we should ourselves be afterwards 

 driven to the necessity of eagerly collecting these same 

 bones a second time, from the dung-hill." — p. 298- 



The weather in May became warm, and the ap- 

 proach of spring was agreeably confirmed by the 

 gradual appearance of various kinds of birds and of 

 reindeer. The average temperature for the month 

 was about 32°, the greatest heat 68°, and the lowest 

 18° ; at the end of the month the sun did not set. 

 Preparations were now made for the long journey 

 down the Copper Mine River to the coast of the 

 Polar Sea, and along it to the eastward. The first 

 party started on the 4th of June, under the charge 

 of Dr. Richardson, consisting of twenty-three per- 

 sons, exclusive of children. Among them were 

 fifteen Canadian voyagers. A promise was made 

 by Akaitcho in presence of Mr. Wentzel and the 

 Indians, that a deposit of provisions should be made 

 at this place, Fort Enterprise, previous to next Sep- 

 tember, as a resource should the party return by 

 this way ; and Wentzel undertook to see this done. 



On the 14th of June, all being completed, Cap- 

 tain Franklin set off with three canoes dragged by 

 four men each, and two dogs. The stores, the 

 instruments, and the small stock of dried meat, 

 amounting only to eighty pounds, were distributed 

 equally among Hepburn, three Canadians, and the 



