OF THE POLAR SEA. 231 
sary to urge their attention to them; but it was 
evident, from the determined commercial oppo- 
sition, and the total want of intercourse between 
the two Companies, that we could not expect to 
receive any cordial advice, or the assurance of 
the aid of both, without devising some expedient 
to bring the parties together. I therefore caused 
a tent to be pitched at a distance from both esta- 
blishments, and solicited the gentlemen of both 
Companies to meet Mr. Back and myself there, 
for the purpose of affording us their combined 
assistance. 
With this request they immediately complied ; 
and on May 25th we were joined at the tent by 
Mr. Stuart and Mr. Grant, of the North-West 
Company, and Mr. Colin Robertson, of the Hud- 
son’s Bay Company, all of whom kindly gave 
very satisfactory answers to a series of questions 
which we had drawn up for the occasion, and 
promised all the aid in their power. 
Furnished with the information thus obtained, 
we proceeded to make some arrangements re- 
specting the obtaining of men, and the stores we 
should require for their equipment, as well as for 
presents to the Indians; and on the following 
day a requisition was made on the Companies 
for eight men each, and whatever useful stores 
they could supply. We learned with regret, that, 
