OF THE POLAR SEA, 333 



from the house where we were obliged to hah, as 

 Dr. Richardson was unable to proceed. The 

 swellings in his limbs rendered him by much the 

 weakest of the party. The Indians prepared our 

 encampment, cooked for us, and fed us as if we 

 had been children ; evincing humanity that would 

 have done honour to the most civihzed people. 

 The night was mild, and fatigue made us sleep 

 soundly. 



From this period to the 26th of November wc 

 gradually continued to improve, under the kind- 

 ness and attention of our Indians. On this day 

 we arrived in safety at the abode of our chief 

 and companion Akaitcho. We were received by 

 the party assembled in the leader's tent, with 

 looks of compassion, and profound silence, which 

 lasted about a quarter of an hour, and by which 

 they meant to express their condolence for our 

 sufferings. The conversation did , not begin until 

 we had tasted food. The Chief, Akaitcho, shew- 

 ed us the most friendly hospitahty, and aU sorts 



of personal attention. 



I to cooking for i 



his own hands, an office which he never performs 

 for himself Anncethai-yazzeh and Humpy, the 

 Chief's two brothers, and several of our hunters, 

 with their families, were encamped here, together 

 with a number of old men and women. In the 

 course of the day we were visited by every per- 



