130 MR. rae's expedition. 



" This melancholy accident grieved me much, as the 

 brave lad was universally liked for his activity, lively and 

 amiable disposition, and extreme good nature. On James 

 Hope, the steersman, rests all the blame of the loss of the 

 boat ; his carelessness in using a small towing-line when 

 there was a much stronger one in the boat, and his 

 cowardice where there was no danger, can admit of no 

 excuse. 



" On taking up our nets (which we laid carefully on the 

 rocks for the Eskimos), they were found full of herring- 

 salmon, in fine condition. We commenced our journey, 

 across land, towards Great Bear Lake, on the 26th, each 

 of the men carrying about 90 lbs., and my own bundle 

 being nearly 50 lbs. Three days' easy march brought us 

 to that part of the Coppermine (lat. 67° 12' N.) from 

 which it was my intention to make a straight course to 

 Fort Confidence. Here we expected to meet with some 

 Indians, but we did not fall in with them until the 

 following evening, when our loads were much lightened, 

 and we arrived here early this afternoon (being our seventh 

 day from the Bloody Fall), accompanied by upwards of 

 thirty of the natives, who had joined us at different parts 

 of the route. 



" The two men who had passed the summer at Fort 

 Confidence were well ; and having all the stores ready 

 packed, I shall leave this to-morrow, after supplying the 

 Indians with ammunition to enable them to hunt their 

 way to the trading-posts. 



" I have, &c. 

 (Signed) "John Rae. 



" Fort Simpson, September 26. 1849. 

 " P. S. I arrived here this afternoon, and intend sending 

 off the expedition men to Big Island, Slave Lake, on the 



