458 THE FRANKLIN SEARCH— ISAS-bl. 



considering that it would make good tracking shoes for the men, I did not 

 like sacrificing so useful an article while there was a possibility of taking it 

 on. On the 14th we met the Company's boats on their way to the Peel with 

 winter supplies, and also Mr Peers, who was to supersede Mr Hardisty on his 

 arrival. I informed that gentleman of the number of men I had left at his 

 post, and the quantity of provision with them, hoping they would not cause 

 any distress during the time they might remain. Mr Peers's reply gave me 

 no reason to think it would be necessary to send them to another post. He 

 told me, also, that the river woidd close up in three weeks ; we then parted, 

 and the same evening I arrived at 6.30 at Fort Good Hope. Here we were 

 cordially welcomed by Mr M'Beath, the gentleman in charge ; and as all 

 hands turned out to see the strangers, there was quite a formidable show of 

 dusky faces on the bank, the fort being particularly full of Indians at the 

 time, waiting for their winter supply of powder, shot, goods, etc." 



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