61 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



were short of stature but muscular, apparently 

 good-natured, and perfectly acquainted with the 

 purpose for which they were intended. They 

 had built themselves a snow-house on an adjacent 

 island, where they used frequently to sleep. The 

 following day I examined the pieces, and to my 

 great disappointment found them to consist of 

 three kegs of spirits, already adulterated by the 

 voyagers who had brought them ; a keg of flour, 

 and thirty-five pounds of sugar, instead of sixty. 

 Tlie ammunition and tobacco, the two most essen- 

 tial requisites, were left behind. 



"I lost no time in making a demand from both 

 parties ; and though their united list did not 

 furnish the half of what was required, yet it is pos- 

 sible that every thing was given by them which 

 could be spared consistent with their separate 

 interests, particularly by Mr. M' Vicar, who, in 

 many articles, gave me the whole he had in'his 

 possession. These things were sent away im- 

 mediately for Fort Enterprise, when an interpreter 

 arrived with letters frdfn Lieutenant Franklin, 

 which referred to a series of injurious reports said 

 to have been propagated against us by some one 

 at Fort Providence. 



" Finding a sufficiency of goods could not be 

 provided at iVIoose-Deer Island, I determined to 

 proceed to the Atliabasca Lake, and ascertain the 



