OP THE POLAR SEA. 13 



rangements for transporting the stores we ex- 

 pected from Cumberland House, and to endea- 

 vour to obtain some additional supplies from the 

 estabUshments at Slave Lake. If any accident 

 should have prevented the arrival of our stores, 

 and the establishments at Moose-Deer Island 

 should be unable to supply the deficiency, he 

 was, if he found himself equal to the task, to pro- 

 ceed to Chipewyan, Ammunition was essential 

 to our existence, and a considerable supply of 

 tobacco was also requisite, not only for the com- 

 fort of the Canadians, who use it largely, and had 

 stipulated for it in their engagements, but also as 

 a means of preserving the friendship of the In- 

 dians. Blankets, cloth, and iron-work, were 

 scarcely less indispensable to equip our men for 

 the advance next season. 



Mr. Wentzel accompanied Mr. Back, to assist 

 him in obtaining from the traders, on the score of 

 old friendship, that which they might be inchned 

 to deny to our necessities. I forwarded by them 

 letters to the Colonial Office and Admiralty, de- 

 tailing the proceedings of the Expedition up to 

 this period. 



On the 22d we were surprised by a visit from 

 a dog ; the poor animal was in low condition, 

 and much fatigued. Our Indians discovered, by 

 marks on his ears, that he belonged to the Dog- 



