OF THE POLAR SEA. 3G5 



On the 4th, we again set off after the Indians 

 about noon, and soon overtook them, as they had 

 halted, to drag from the water, and cut up and 

 share, a moose-deer, that had been drowned in 

 a rapid part of the river, partially covered with 

 ice. These operations detained us a long time, 

 which was the more disagreeable, as the weather 

 was extremely unpleasant from cold low fogs. 

 We were all much fatigued at the hour of encamp- 

 ment, which was after dark, though the day's 

 journey did not exceed four miles. At every 

 halt the elderly men of the tribe used to make 

 holes in the ice and put in their lines. One of 

 them shared the produce of his fishery with us this 

 evening. 



In the afternoon of the 6th, Belanger, and 

 another Canadian, arrived from Fort Providence, 

 sent by Mr. Weeks with two trains of dogs, some 

 spirits and tobacco for the Indians, a change of 

 dress ibr ourselves, and a little tea and sugar. 

 They also brought letters for us from England, 

 and from Mr. Back and Mr. Wentzel. By the 

 former we received the gratifying intelligence of 

 the successful termination of Captain Parry's 

 voyage ; and were informed of the promotion of 

 myself and Mr. Back, and of poor Hood, our grief 

 for whose loss was renewed by this intelligence. 

 The gratification, which it would otherwise have 



