PROCEED TO FORT GOOD HOPE. 269 



tempting, on a barren and frozen coast, the fearful 

 consequences contingent, in our unprovided condition, 

 upon the destruction of our frail barks, or impediment 

 to our progress, I have to speak of dreary winter's 

 residence in ahnost cheerless solitude, amid dense 

 forests and universal snow. 



Our ascent of the Mackenzie had been undertaken 

 for the purpose of reaching Fort Good Hope, where, 

 or at this place, it was intended we should winter : 

 the report of the resources of this station induced 

 Mr, Pullen to leave a portion of his party here, and 

 proceed with the remainder to Tort Good Hope ; the 

 expedition to unite in the spring to proceed to 

 England. He accordingly gave me orders to remain 

 with five men ; the greater portion of the stores 

 with one boat, were also left ; and on the 6th of 

 September Mr. Pullen with seven men departed in 

 the "Logan" for Fort Good Hope, which is the 

 most northerly post of the Hudson's Bay Company on 

 the Mackenzie River, and for which place he was 

 fm*nished with a guide. 



There were several Indians at Fort Macpherson, 

 who awaited the return of a boat which is yearly 

 dispatched up the Mackenzie to Fort Simpson, the 

 head-quarters of the district, for supplies to barter 

 in exchange for the furs and provisions furnished by 



