CHIPPEWYAN TO BLACK LAKE. 63 



travelling it was very evident that the guides were going 

 to be a drag rather than a help to us, so it was resolved 

 that before proceeding farther a definite understanding 

 must be arrived at. 



Beside the evening camp-fire, accordingly, the matter 

 was broached to the Indians. They were told plainly 

 that if they were to continue with us they would be 

 required to go in advance and show us the way as far as 

 they knew the route, and further, that they would be 

 expected to assist in portaging our stuff whenever that 

 might become necessary. In consideration of this, as- 

 already agreed upon, they were to receive their board 

 and eighty skins ($40.00) per month, upon their return 

 to Chippewyan. This arrangement was accepted as 

 being satisfactory to them, and it was hoped that it 

 might result satisfactorily to ourselves. 



During the morning of the 1st of July, with a little 

 Union Jack flying at the bow of my canoe, we arrived 

 at the east end of the lake, and concluded a traverse, 

 since leaving Chippewyan, of 210 miles. Here at the 

 extremity of the lake we found several Indian families 

 living, not as is usual, in their " tepees " or skin-covered 

 lodges, but in substantial log huts. One of these, we 

 learned, was the property of our brave Moberly, and in 

 front of it he and old Bovia deliberately went ashore, 

 drew up their canoe, and seated themselves upon the 

 ground beside some friends. 



Their action at once struck us as suspicious, but 

 presently they made an open demand for a division of 

 our bacon, flour, tea and tobacco. Some pieces of to- 

 bacco and a small quantity of tea had already been 

 given, but any further distribution of the supplies was 



