In the Arctic Regions. 105 
morning. The customary present, of tobacco and 
some other articles, was immediately sent to him. 
Mr. Wentzel prepared me for the first conference 
with the Indians, by mentioning all the information 
they had already given to him.. The duties allotted 
to this gentleman were, the management of the In- 
dians, the superifitendence of the Canadian voyagers, 
the obtaining, and the general distribution, of the 
provisions and the issue of the other stores. These 
services he was well qualified to perform, having been 
accustomed to execute similar duties, during a resi- 
dence of upwards of twenty years in this country. We 
also deemed Mr. Wentzel to be a great acquisition to 
our party, as acheck upon the interpreters, he being 
one of the few traders who speak the Chipewyan 
language. 
As we were informed that external appearances 
made lasting impressions upon the Indians, we pre- 
pared for the interview by decorating ourselves in uni- 
form, and suspending a medal round each of our necks, 
Our tents had been previously pitched, and over one 
of them a silken union flag was hoisted. Soon after 
noon, on July 30th, several Indian canoes were seen 
advancing in-a regular line, and on their approach, 
the chief was discovered in the headmost, which was 
paddled by two men. On landing at the fort, the 
chief assumed a very grave aspect, and walked up to 
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