226 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
promptly and kindly communicated. During our 
conversation, an old Chipewyan Indian, named 
the Rabbit’s Head, entered the room, to whom 
Mr. Dease referred for information on some 
point. We found from his answer that he was a 
step-son of the late Chief Matonnabee, who had 
accompanied Mr, Hearne on his journey to the 
sea, and that he had himself been of the party, 
but being then a mere boy, he had forgotten 
many of the circumstances. He confirmed, how- 
ever, the leading incidents related by Heame, 
and was positive he reached the sea, though he 
admitted that none of the party had tasted the 
water. He represented himself to be the only 
survivor of that party. As he was esteemed a 
good Indian, I presented him with a medal, which 
he received gratefully, and concluded a long 
Speech upon the occasion, by assuring me he 
should preserve it carefully all his life. The old 
man afterwards became more communicative, and 
unsolicited began to relate the tradition of his 
tribe, respecting the discovery of the Copper 
Mine, which we thought amusing: and as the 
subject is somewhat connected with our future 
researches, I will insert the translation of it which 
was given at the time by Mr. Dease, though a 
slight mention of it has been made by Hearne. 
“The Chipewyans Suppose the Esquimaux 
