lU JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



I have deemed it my duty to give the preceding 

 details of the tedious conversations we had with 

 Akaitcho, to point out to future travellers, the art 

 with which these Indians pursue their objects, 

 their avaricious nature, and the little reliance 

 that can be placed upon them when their interests 

 jar with their promises. In these respects they 

 agree with other tribes of northern Indians ; but, 

 as has been already mentioned, their dispositions 

 are not cruel, and their hearts are readily moved 

 by the cry of distress. 



The average temperature for May was nearly 

 32°, the greatest heat was 68°, the lowest 8°. 



We had constant daylight at the end of the 

 month, and geese and ducks were abundant, in- 

 deed rather too much so, for our hunters were 

 apt to waste upon them the ammunition that was 

 given to them for killing deer. Uncertain as to 

 the length of time that our ammunition might be 

 required to last, we did not deem a goose of 

 equal value with the charge it cost to procure it. 



Dr. Richardson and Mr. Back having visited 

 the country to the northward of the Slave Rock, 

 and reported that they thought we might travel 

 over It, I signified my intention of sending the 

 first party off on Monday the 4th of June. I was 

 anxious to get the Indians to move on before, but 

 they hngered about the bouse, evidently with the 



