194 /. E. Turner — The Alaskan Boundary Survey. 



Large ; the Vunta Kutchin, or Lake Indians, inhabiting the 

 region of the lalves northeast of Rampart House; the Nun 

 Kutchin or River Indians ; the Trangik Kutchin, or Black River 

 Indians, residing on the river of the same name ; and the Takudh 

 tribes, living in the vicinity of la Pierre's house. Excepting 

 the Takudh tribes, the other natives enumerated, numbering 

 perhaps 500, trade at Rampart house. In former times this 

 post was a source of great profit to the Hudson Bay company, 

 as many black-fox skins were brought in by the Natsei Kutchin. 

 During our ten months' residence but two skins of this kind 

 were secured, and the yearly total of other furs has correspond- 

 ingly diminished. The greatest bulk of furs is now obtained 

 from the Black river country, and consists chiefly of black bear 

 and beaver skins. 



Eskimos from the northern coast sometimes visit Rampart 

 house in order to exchange walrus lines for wolverine skins, 

 which are afterwards traded to passing whalers for whisky or 

 old-fashioned breech -loading Winchesters. 



Early in March it was decided to take a journey northward 

 along the boundary to the shores of the Arctic ocean. 



A request was therefore sent to Mr Firth, at Rampart house, 

 to provide dried meat for the trip and engage the services of two 

 reliable natives with sleds and a runner to go ahead. This was 

 accordingly done. Seven men and four sleds of four dogs each 

 left camp on March 27, bound for the Arctic ocean. Two of the 

 Indians, Edward and Moses by name, had traveled over the 

 proposed route before, while engaged in trading with the Innuit 

 of the northern coast, so no concern was felt on this score. The 

 temperature had risen gradually during the previous day, and 

 bright skies and sleeping winds indicated that the time was ripe 

 for making the start. In addition to the dried meat, pemmican 

 and a supply of canned meats, with a modicum of alcohol stowed 

 away in the event of snake bite, completed the stock of provis- 

 ions. My sled was loaded with a camera outfit and various 

 instruments for the determination of geographical positions, 

 heights, etc. 



It was noon when the final preparations were completed 

 and the party started. Bergman, Foreman and Engelstad 

 accompanied the party. On the first day six miles were made, 

 and the party camped for the night in a grove of spruce, with 

 dry standing wood conveniently near. The mode of camping 



