RETURN TO WINTER QUARTERS. 361 



spared all unnecessary fatigue." Continuing the voyage in this vigorous 

 fashion, the boats arrived at the confluence of Bear Lake Eiver with the 

 Mackenzie on the 3d September. Here the leaders deposited the cargoes 

 of the " Castor " and " Pollux," and prepared to ascend the Mackenzie a few- 

 miles farther to Fort Norma,n, where it was expected they should find their 

 outfit for the coming year, with despatches, etc. " On the 4th," says Simp- 

 son, " we took an early breakfast at the burning banks, and lighted our fire 

 with coals of nature's kindling. In the woods that crown this vast hot-bed 

 we found a great profusion of very fine raspberries and gooseberries, which 

 afforded us a rich treat. ... At six p.m. we reached Fort Norman, to 

 the utter amazement of the person in charge, who imagined us still at the 

 coast." Two days after, the goods and provisions for the next, year's voyage 

 down the Coppermine, and east to the Great Fish Eiver, arrived ; and 

 taking these in charge, Dease and Simpson set out on the 10th for their 

 winter quarters at Great Bear Lake. The little tabernacle in the snowy 

 waste — for winter had already set in with its accustomed severity — was 

 situated at the north-east extremity of the lake, near the mouth of Dease 

 Eiver. "We reached it," says Simpson, "at four p.m. on the 25th Sep- 

 tember, and had the satisfaction of finding our comrades safe and well. 

 Our greetings were cordial indeed ; and with feelings of sincere gratitude 

 to an Almighty Protector, we bestowed upon our infant establishment the 

 name of Fort Confidence. 



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