352 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
time, how essential his continuance with us was, 
not only to our future success, but even to our 
existence during the winter, [ closed the conver- 
sation here, intending to propose to him next 
morning, some modification of the plan, which 
might meet his approbation. Soon after we were 
gone, however, he informed Mr. Wentzel, with 
whom he was in the habit of speaking confiden- 
tially, that as his advice was neglected, his pre- 
sence was useless, and he should, therefore, re- 
turn to Fort Providence with his hunters, after he 
had collected some winter provision for us. Mr. 
Wentzel having reported this to me, the night. 
was past in great anxiety, and after weighing all 
the arguments that presented themselves to my 
mind, I came reluctantly to the determination of 
relinquishing the intention of going any distance 
down the river this season. I had considered, 
that could we ascertain what were the impedi- 
ments to the navigation of the Copper-Mine River, 
what wood grew on its banks, if fit for boat- 
building, and whether drift timber existed where 
the country was naked, our operations next sea- 
son would be much facilitated ; but we had also — 
cherished the hope of reaching the sea this year, for 
the Indians in their conversations with us, had only 
spoken of two great rapids as likely to obstruct us. 
This was a hope extremely painful to give up, for 
