OF THE POLAR SEA, 153 



Fort Providence to receive the reward ; and, at 

 any rate, I promised to send the necessary docu- 

 ments by Mr. Wentzel, from the sea-coast, to en- 

 sure their having an ample remuneration. With 

 this arrangement they were perfectly satisfied, 

 and we could not be less so, knowing they had 

 every motive for fulfilling their promises, as the 

 place they had chosen to remain at is their usual 

 hunting-ground. The uncommon anxiety these 

 chiefs expressed for our safety, appeared to us as 

 likely to prompt them to every care and attention, 

 and I record their expressions with gratitude. 

 After representing the numerous hardships we 

 should have to encounter in the strongest manner, 

 though in language similar to what we had often 

 heard from our friend Akaitcho, they earnestly en- 

 treated we would be constantly on our guard against 

 thetreachery of the Esquimaux ; and no less forcibly 

 desired we would not proceed far along the coast, as 

 they dreaded the consequences of our being ex- 

 posed to a tempestuous sea in canoes, and having 

 to endure the cold of the autumn on a shore desti- 

 tute of fuel. The Hook, having been an invalid 

 for several years, rejoiced at the opportunity of 

 consulting Dr. Richardson, who immediately 

 gave him advice, and supplied him with me- 

 dicine. 



The pounded meat and fat were converted 

 into pemmican, preparatory to our voyage. 



