86 INQUIRIES AND EMBARRASSMENTS 



one and all, in magnifying its dangers, and 

 deprecating any rash attempt to launch a boat 

 on its unnavigable waters. " And why," said 

 they, " should the chief wish to go there, when 

 the Teh-Ion is not only nearer, but offers him so 

 many more advantages ? where he will find, 

 musk ox, moose, and rein-deer, wood, fish, and 

 animals wherewith to pass a comfortable winter. 

 It is true," continued they, "that our fathers 

 did go down the Thlew-ee-choh, when they 

 made war on the Esquimaux, a long time ago ; 

 but how few returned ? and who is there now 

 to tell of what they did, and what befell them ? 

 No one ; — they are in the land of spirits, and 

 our old men only remember their names." 



Nor was this the only discouragement of my 

 projected route by the Thlew-ee-choh, for at 

 the same time a circumstance came to light, as 

 unexpected as it was unwelcome. A Cana- 

 dian, named Sanpere, had formerly, at Sir John 

 Franklin's request, been sent by the gentleman 

 at that time in charge of Fort Resolution, to 

 ascertain the existence of the Thlew-ee-choh. 

 The man accordingly set out, in company with 

 the natives, and on his return gave a detailed 

 account of his journey. But his guides, to some 

 of whom I was speaking, now affirmed that on 

 reaching the end of the lake next to Great Slave 

 Lake, he became alarmed; and in spite of all 



