OF THE POLAR SEA. 91 



and drawings that were prepared to be sent to 

 England, and explaining fully our future inten- 

 tions. He appeared much pleased at this mark 

 of attention, and, when his curiosity was satisfied, 

 began his speech by saying, that *' although a 

 vast number of idle rumours had been floating 

 about the barren grounds during the winter," yet 

 he was convinced that the representations that 

 had been made to him at Fort Providence regard- 

 ing the purport of the Expedition were perfectly 

 correct. I next pointed out to him the necessity 

 of our proceeding with as little delay as possible 

 during the short period of the year that was fit 

 for our operations, and that to do so it was requi- 

 site we should have a large supply of provisions 

 at starting. He instantly admitted the force of 

 these observations, and promised that he and his 

 young men should do their utmost to comply with 

 our desires; and afterwards, in answer to my 

 questions, informed us that he would accompany 

 the Expedition to the mouth of the Copper-Mine 

 River, or, if we did not meet with Esquimaux 

 there for some distance along the coast, he was 

 anxious, he said, to have an amicable interview 

 with that people ; and he further requested, that, 

 in the event of our meeting with Dog-ribs on the 

 Copper- Mine River, we should use our influence 

 to persuade them to live on friendly terms with 



