OF THE POLAR SEA. 237 
Fort Chipewyan has been built many years, and 
is an establishment of very considerable extent, 
conspicuously situated on a rocky point of the 
northern shore ; it has a tower which can be 
Seen at a conSiderable distance. This addition 
was made about eight years ago, for the purpose 
of watching the motions of the Indians, who in- 
tended, as it was then reported, to destroy the 
house and all its inhabitants. They had been in- 
Stigated to this rash design by the delusive 
Stories of one among them, who had acquired 
great influence over his companions by his sup- 
posed skill in necromancy. This fellow had pro- 
phesied that there would soon be a 
change in the face of their country ; that fertility 
and plenty would succeed to the present sterility ; 
and that the present race of white inhabitants, 
unless they became subservient to the Indians, 
would be removed, and their place be filled by 
other traders, who would supply their wants in 
every possible manner. The poor deluded 
wretches, imagining they would hasten this happy 
change by destroying their present traders, of 
whose submission there was no prospect, threat- 
ened to extirpate them. None of these menaces, 
however, were put in execution. They were 
probably deterred from the attempt by perceiving 
that a most vigilant guard was kept over them. 
