In //'.■ Arctic Regions. 117 



in advancing to the northward, bat thai the leader 



had been joined by several families of old j pie, 



thai the daily consumption of provision at the Indian 

 tents was consequently great This information exci- 

 ted Borne painful apj rehensions of being very Bcantily 

 provided when the period for our departure should arrive. 



The weather in the beginning of May was fine and 

 wanii. On the -M».s ome patches of sandy ground □ 

 the house were cleared of snow. On the 7th the sides 

 of the hills began to appear bare, and on the Sth a 

 large b iuse fly was seen. This interesting event 

 spread cheerfulness through our i and font 



a topic of conversation for tin- resl of tin- day. 



Dr. Richardson and Mr. Back having visited the 

 country to the northward ft' the slave Bock, and 

 reported that they thought we might travel over it, 

 1 signified my intention of Bending tin- first party nil 

 on Monday the 4th of June. 1 was anxious to get the 

 Indians t>> move "ii before, hut they lingered aboul 

 the house, evidently with the intention of jacking up 

 such articl s as we might deem unni to take. 



When Akaitcho was made acquainted with my pur- 

 of sending away a party of men, he cm!'- t<> in- 

 form ni" that he would appoint two hunters to accom- 

 pany them, and at the s.nii-- time requested that Dr. 

 Richardson, or as he called him, the Medicine Ch 



mighl be sent with his OH n hand. 



