448 ENCAMP ON ARTILLERY LAKE. 



hunting canoes. After running another rapid, 

 we collected more meat at a second encamp- 

 ment, to which the occupants of the former 

 also, including the old man, had followed us ; 

 and as they all crowded into the tent, I showed 

 them the survey of the river, and particularly 

 pointed out those parts where the greatest number 

 of animals had been seen, recommending them, 

 in the event of any future failure, to go so far, 

 which I assured them they might do with safety. 

 They answered, " it was good ;" but appeared 

 too indifferent to allow me to suppose that they 

 had any idea, at that time at least, of taking ad- 

 vantage of it. They looked, however, with eager 

 curiosity at the length and windings of the 

 river, its numerous falls and extensive lakes ; 

 and their attention was riveted to the slightest 

 word relating to the Esquimaux. A few pre- 

 sents from these last to me were scrutinized 

 with the minutest attention, and they listened 

 in profound silence to my account of their 

 peaceful conduct. 



At night we encamped at the first pines on 

 the western shore of Artillery Lake. While we 

 were with the Indians in the morning, our dog 

 had hunted and sadly pulled about a poor 

 lemming, half torpid with cold. The first gripe 

 had blinded it, and the little creature was now 

 running about on the ice along the border of the 



