NORTHERN OCEAN 79 



The flesh of these deer, though none of the largest, might 1770. 

 with frugality have served our small number, (being [25] only fj'J'^' 

 six) for some time ; but my companions, like other Indians, 

 feasted day and night while it lasted ; and were so indolent 

 and unthinking, as not to attend properly to the fishing nets ; 

 so that many fine fish, which had been entangled in the nets, 

 were entirely spoiled, and in about twelve or fourteen days we 

 were nearly in as great distress for provisions as ever. 



During the course of our long inactivity, Saw-sop-o-kishac, 

 commonly called Sossop, my principal Southern Indian, as he 

 was cutting some birch for spoons, dishes, and other necessary 

 household furniture, had the misfortune to cut his leg in 

 such a manner as to be incapable of walking ; and the other 

 Southern Indian, though a much younger man, was so indo- 

 lent as not to be of any service to me, except hauling part 

 of our luggage, and eating up part of the provisions which 

 had been provided by the more industrious part of my com- 

 panions. 



On the twenty- fourth, early in the day, a great body of 24th. 

 Indians was seen in the South West, on the large lake by the side 

 of which our tent stood. On their arrival at our tent we dis- 

 covered them to be the wives and families of the Northern 

 Indian goose-hunters, who were gone to Prince of Wales's 

 Fort to attend the season. They were bound toward the 

 barren ground, there to wait the return of their husbands and 

 relations from the Fort, after the termination of the goose- 

 season. 



[26] My guide having for some days past determined to 

 move toward the barren ground, this morning we took down 27th. 

 our tent, packed up our luggage, and proceeded to the East- 

 ward in the same track we came ; but Sossop being so lame 

 as to be obliged to be hauled on a sledge, I easily prevailed 

 on two of the Indians who had joined us on the 24th, and 

 who were pursuing the same road, to perform this service 

 for him. 



