Chap. XI. RICHARDSON'S VOYAGE TO THE EASTWARD. 447 



therefore left the Union and the Dolphin boats at 

 the Bloody Fall, stowing in them a number of 

 small articles for the use of the Esquimaux who 

 frequent this spot ; and having distributed among 

 the party a certain quantity of pemmican, portable 

 soup, and other articles of provision, the whole 

 amounting to about seventy pounds to each man, 

 they set out on foot for Dease River on Great Bear 

 Lake. A boat had been appointed to convey them 

 across the lake to Fort Franklin; by this plan a 

 journey would be saved of three hundred miles, and 

 of three weeks, which a walk round the lake would 

 have required ; besides, it spared them, in addition 

 to much fatigue and suffering, the wear and tear of 

 their small stock of shoes almost already exhausted, 

 and of their clothing, which was but ill adapted for 

 the frosty nights of September. 



Some little delay occurred in the arrival of the 

 boat on Dease's River, but they reached Fort Frank- 

 lin on the 1st of September, *' and received a warm 

 welcome from Mr. Dease, after an absence of se- 

 venty-one days, during which period we had tra- 

 velled by land and water one thousand seven 

 hundred and nine geographical, or nineteen hun- 

 dred and eighty statute miles." Dr. Richardson 

 adds — 



" Having now brought the narrative of the proceedings 

 of the eastern detachment to a conclusion, the pleasing duty 

 remains of expressing my gratitude to the party for their 



