OF THE POLAR SEA. 117 



sick Indian and his wife, together with Aiigelique 

 and Roulante; so that the party consisted of 

 twenty-three exclusive of children. 



The burdens of the men were about eighty 

 pounds each, exclusive of their personal baggage, 

 which amounted to nearly as much more. Most 

 of them dragged their loads upon sledges, but a 

 few preferred carrying them on their backs. 

 They set off in high spirits. 



After breakfast the Indians struck their tents, 

 and the women, the boys, and the old men who 

 had to drag sledges, took their departure. It 

 was three P.M., however, before Akaitcho and 

 the hunters left us. We issued thirty balls to 

 the leader, and twenty to each of the hunters and 

 guides, with a proportionate quantity of powder, 

 and gave them directions to make all the pro- 

 vision they could on their way to Point Lake. I 

 then desired Mr. Wentzel to inform Akaitcho, in 

 the presence of the other Indians, that I wished 

 a deposit of provision to be made at this place 

 previous to next September, as a resource should 

 we return this way. He and the guides not only 

 promised to see this done, but suggested that it 

 Would be more secure if placed in the cellar, or 

 in Mr. Wentzel's room. The Dog-ribs, they 

 said, would respect any thing that was in the 



