90 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



a competent knowledge of the Copper Indian 

 language, we should not have learned what we 

 did. 



Although perfectly satisfied of his baseness, 

 I could not dispense with his services ; and I had 

 no other resource but to give him a serious ad- 

 monition, and desire him to return to his duty, 

 after endeavouring to work upon his fears by an 

 assurance, that I would certainly convey him to 

 England for trial if the Expedition should be 

 stopped through his fault. He replied, " It is 

 immaterial to me where I lose my hfe, whether in 

 England, or accompanying you to the sea, for 

 the whole party will perish." After this discus- 

 sion, however, he was more circumspect in his 

 conduct. 



On the 28th we received a small supply of meat 

 from the Indian lodges. They had now moved 

 mto a lake, about twelve miles distant from us, 

 in expectation of the deer coming soon to the 

 northward. 



On the 29th Akaitcho arrived at the house, 

 havmg been sent for to make some arrangements 

 respectmg the procuring of provision, and that 

 we might learn from him what his sentiments were 

 with regard to accompanying us on our future 

 journey Next morning we had a conference, 

 which I commenced by shewing him the charts 



