xl 
Lae RO DAO TS. Oa. 
I did not hefitate to comply with the requeft of 
the Company, and in the November following, 
when fome Northern Indians came to trade, Mr. 
Norton, who was then returned to the command 
of Prince of Wales’s Fort, engaged fuch of them 
for my guides as he thought were moft likely to 
an{wer the purpofe; but none of them had been 
at this grand river. Iwas fitted out with every 
thing thought neceflary, and with ammunition 
to ferve two years. I was to be accompanied by 
two of the Company’s fervants, two of the Home- 
guard* (Southern) Indians, and a fufficient num 
ber of Northern Indians to carry and haul my 
baggage, provide for me, &%c. But for the bet- 
ter 
and in the two firft paragraphs of their letter to me, dated rath May 1773, 
they expres themfelves in the following words: 
« Mr. SAMUEL HEARNE, 
“ SR, 
“¢ Your letter of the 28th Auguft laft gave us the agreeable pleafure te 
« hear of your fafe return to our Factory. Your Journal, and the two 
* charts you fent, fufficiently convinces us of your very judicious re- 
*¢ marks, 
‘Ss We have maturely confidered your great affiduity in the various acci- 
“dents which occurred in your feveral Journies. We hereby return 
« you our grateful thanks ; and to manifeft our obligation we have con- 
“* fented to allow youa gratuity of £ for thofe fervices.% 
Asa farther proof of the Company’s being perfeétly fatisfied with my 
condvét while on that Journey, the Committee unanimonfly appointed me 
Chief of Psince of Wales’s Fort in the Summer of 17753; and Mr. Bibye 
Lake, who was then Governor, and feveral others of the Committee, ho- 
aoured me with a regular correfpondence as long as they lived. 
* By the Home-guard Indians we are to underftand certain of the na- 
tives who are immediately employed under the protection of the Compa- 
ny’ fervants, refide on the plantation, and are employed in hunting for 
the Fadtory. “ 
