In th. An >'" Regions. 397 



day was closed by the consumption of a small quanti- 

 ty of rum, reserved for the occasion, followed by a 

 ry dance, in which all joined with great glee, in 

 their workio 3. On the following Sunday the 



officers and men assembled at Divine 

 in their new uniforms ; and in addition to the ordi- 

 nary Bervice of the day, the special protection of 

 Providence was implored on the enterprise we wi 

 about to commence. The guns « tned thenext 



day, and Btowed in the arm chests, which had 1 



made to lit the boats. Tuesday and Wednesday 



were set apart for th and men to pack their 



own things. A Btrong western breeze occurred on the 

 21st, which removed the ice from the front of the 

 house and opened a passage to the 1 *, . . i r Lake Kiver. 

 The men were sent with the boats and Btores to the 

 I- in the evening, and were heartily cheered on 

 quitting the beach. The officers remained to pack 

 up the charts, drawings, and other documents, which 

 were to he left at the fort ; and, in the event of none 

 of the officers returning, Mr. D 1 to 



forward them to England. We quitted the house at 

 halt* past ten, on Tuesday morning, Leaving Cot6, 

 the fisherman, in charge, until Mr. Dease Bhould return 

 from Fort Norman. This worthy old man, sharing 

 the enthusiasm that animated the whole party, would 

 not allow us to depart without giving his heat 

 though solitary cheer, which we returned in full chorus. 



