NORTHERN OCEAN. 
fide them. The whole timber appears to have 
been, even in its greateft profperity, of fo crook- 
ed and dwarfifh a growth as to render it of little 
ufe for any purpole but fire-wood. 
Soon after our arrival at the river-fide, three 
Indians were fent off as {pies, in order to fee if any 
Efquimaux were inhabiting the river-fide between 
us and the fea. After walking about three quar- 
ters of a mile by the fide of the river, we put up, 
when moft of the Indians went a hunting, and 
killed feveral mufk-oxen and fome deer. They 
were employed all the remainder of the day and 
night in fplitting and drying the meat by the fire. 
As we were not then in want of provifions, and 
as deer and other animals were fo plentiful, that 
each day’s journey might have provided for it- 
felf, I was at a lofs to account for this unufal ceco- 
nomy of my companions; but was foon inform- 
ed, that thofe preparations were made witha view 
to have victuals enough ready-cooked to ferve us 
to the river’s mouth, without being obliged to 
kill any in our way, as the report of the guns, 
and the fmoke of the fires, would be liable to 
alarm the natives, if any fhould be near at hand, 
and give them an opportunity of efcaping. 
Early in the morning of the fifteenth, we fet 
out, when limmediately began my furvey, which 
I continued about ten miles down the river, till 
heavy rain coming on we were obliged to put up; 
and the place where we lay that night was the 
end, or edge of the woods, the whole {pace be- 
L 2 tween 
15th, 
