OP THE POLAR SEA. 131 



received at Port Enterprise, without having con- 

 tributed any supply of provision. The Doctor 

 had, however, through the assistance of two 

 hunters he kept with him, prepared two hundred 

 pounds of dried meat, which was now our sole 

 dependance for the journey. > On the following 

 morning I represented to Akaitcho that we had 

 been greatly disappointed by his conduct, which 

 was so opposite to the promise of exertion he had 

 made, on quitting Fort Enterprise. He offered 

 many excuses, but finding they were not satisfac- 

 tory, admitted that the greater part of the am- 

 munition had been given to those who accom- 

 panied the women to the Beth-see-to, and promised 

 to behave better in future. I then told him, that 

 J intended in future to give them ammunition only 

 in proportion to the meat which was brought in, 

 and that we should commence upon that plan, by 

 supplying him with fifteen balls, and each of the 

 hunters with ten. 



The number of our hunters was now reduced 

 to five, as two of the most active declined going 

 any further, their father, who thought himself 

 ^ying, having solicited them to remain and close 

 his eyes. These five were furnished with am- 

 munition, and sent forward to hunt on the south 

 border of the lake, with directions to place any 



