MEET WITH AKAITCHO. 31 J. 



sufficient pasturage in the valleys and down 

 the declivities to attract musk oxen and deer, 

 which are said to resort to them in spring and 

 autumn in vast numbers. An increasing cur- 

 rent brought us to a strong rapid and fall, 

 with an island in the centre ; and just above it, 

 on a moss-covered rock, we perceived Akaitcho's 

 son and another Indian, waving and shouting 

 to warn us of the danger, which, however, we 

 had already perceived. The luggage brought 

 on this trip being now landed, the boat was 

 sent back for the remainder. 



Akaitcho had chosen this bleak tract for his 

 hunting ground, and had pitched his lodge on 

 the very peak of the highest hill, a few miles off; 

 which being too distant for me to visit, I sent 

 him some tobacco and other presents, with a re- 

 quest that he would detain his young men at his 

 lodge, as we were too busy to talk. Scarcely, how- 

 ever, had I returned from taking some bearings, 

 when I saw the old man and several others close 

 alongside. The interpreter declared he could 

 not prevail on him to remain, for that as soon as 

 he heard that I was there, he left his lodge, say- 

 ing, " I have known the chief a long time, and 

 I am afraid I shall never see him again — I will 

 go." The boat had now arrived ; and the rest of 

 the men being busied in making the portage, 

 she was pushed off with four good hands, quite 



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