314 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
Mr. Wentzei prepared me for the first confer- 
ence with the Indians by mentioning all the in 
formation they had already given to him. The 
duties allotted to this gentleman were, the ma- 
nagement of the Indians, the superintendence of 
the Canadian voyagers, the obtaining, and the 
general distribution, of the provision, and the 
issue of the other stores. These services he was 
well qualified to perform, having been accustomed 
to execute similar duties, during a residence of 
upwards of twenty years in this country. We 
also deemed Mr. Wentzel to be a great acquisi- 
tion to our party, as a check on the ‘interpreters, 
he being one of the few traders who speak the 
Chipewyan language. 
As we were informed that external appearances 
made lasting impressions on the Indians, we pre- 
pared for the interview by decorating ourselves 
in uniform, and suspending a medal round each 
of our necks. Our tents had been previously 
pitched, and over one of them a silken union flag 
was hoisted. Soon after noon, on July 30th, 
several Indian canoes were seen advancing in a 
regular line, and on their approach, the chief was 
discovered in the headmost, which was paddled 
by two men. On landing at the fort, the chief 
assumed a very grave aspect, and walked up to 
Mr. Wentzel with a measured and dignified step, 
