OP THE POLAR SEA. 393 



were going to fish ; and I was the more anxious 

 to do so, on account of my companions : but par- 

 ticularly that I might hear a full relation of what 

 had happened, and of the Conmiander's true situ- 

 ation, which I suspected to be much worse than 

 he had described. 



In the afternoon I joined the Indians, and re- 

 peated to Akaitcho what St. Germain had told 

 him; he seemed much affected, and said, he 

 would have sent relief directly, though I had not 

 been there ; indeed, his conduct was generous 

 and humane. The next morning, at an early 

 hour, three Indians, with loaded sledges of meat, 

 skins, shoes, and a blanket, set out for Fort En- 

 terprise ; one of them was to return directly with 

 an answer from Captain Franklin, to whom I 

 wrote ; but in the event of his death, he was to 

 bring away all the papers he could find ; and he 

 promised to travel with such haste, as to be able 

 to return to us on the fourth day. I was now 

 somewhat at more ease, having done all in my 

 power to succour my unfortunate companions ; 

 but was very anxious for the return of the mes- 

 senger. The Indians brought me meat in small 

 quantities, though sufficient for our daily con- 

 sumption ; and, as we had a little ammunition, 

 many were paid on the spot for what they gave. 

 On the 9th I had the satisfaction of seeing the 



