354 Thirty Years 



house. Adam, whose expectation of the arrival of the 

 Indians had been raised by the fineness of the weather, 

 became, towards night, very desponding, and refused 

 to eat the singed skin. The night was stormy, and 

 there was a heavy fall of snow. The next day he be- 

 came still more dejected. About eleven Hepburn, 

 who had gone out for wood, came in with the intelli- 

 gence that a party appeared upon the river. The 

 room was instantly swept, and, in compliance with 

 the prejudices of the Indians, every scrap of skin was 

 carefully removed out of sight ; for these simple peo- 

 ple imagine, that burning deer-skin renders them un- 

 successful in hunting. The party proved to be 

 Crooked-Foot, Thooee-yorre, and the Fop, with the 

 wives of the two latter dragging provisions. They 

 were accompanied by Benoit, one of our own men. 



We were rejoiced to learn, by a note from Mr. Back, 

 dated November 11, that he and his companions had 

 BO recruited their strength that they were preparing to 

 proceed to Fort Providence. Adam recovered his spirits 

 on the arrival of the Indians, and even walked about 

 the room with an appearance of strength and activity 

 that surprised us all. As it was of consequence to get 

 amongst the reindeer before our presenl supply should 



fail, we made preparations for (putting Fort Knter- 



prize the nexl day ; and, accordingly, al an early hour 



on the Hilh, having united in thanksgiving and prayer, 



