OF THE POLAR SEA. 71 



vray in charge of the fort, who were not a little 

 surprised to see me. The commencement of 

 the new year is the rejoicing season of the Ca- 

 nadians, when they are generally intoxicated a 

 few days. I postponed making any demand till 

 this time of festivity should cease ; but on the 

 same day I went over to the Hudson's Bay Fort, 

 and delivered Lieutenant Franklin's letters to Mr. 

 Simpson. If they were astonished at one side to 

 see me, the amazement was still greater on the 

 other ; for reports were so far in advance, that we 

 were said to have already fallen by the spears of 

 the Esquimaux. 



*' January 3. — I made a demand from both par- 

 ties for supplies ; such as ammunition, gun-flints, 

 axes, files, clothing, tobacco, and spirits. I stated 

 to them our extreme necessity, and that without 

 their assistance the Expedition must be arrested 

 in its progress. The answer from the North- 

 West gentleman was satisfactory enough ; but on 

 the Hudson Bay side I was told, " that any far- 

 ther assistance this season entirely depends on 

 the arrival of supplies, expected in a few weeks 

 hence from a distant establishment." I remained 

 at Fort Chipewyan five weeks, during which time 

 some laden sledges did arrive, but I could not 

 obtain any addition to the few articles I had pro- 

 cured at first. A packet of letters for us, from 



