In the Arctie Regions. 119 
‘ 
of one thousand three hundred yards over a rocky hill, 
which received the name of the Bowstring Portage, 
from its shape. We found that the Indians had great- 
ly the advantage of us in this operation ; the men 
carried their small canoes, the women and children 
the clothes and provisions, and at the end of the por- 
tage they were ready to embark ; whilst it was neces- 
sary for our people to return four times, before they 
could transport the weighty cargo with which we were 
burthened. After passing through another expansion 
of the river, and over the steep portage of one hun- 
dred and fifteen yards, we encamped on a small rocky 
isle, just large enough to hold our party, and the In- 
dians took possession of ari adjoining rock. We were. 
now distant thirty miles from Fort Providence. 
As soon as the tents were pitched, the officers and 
men were divided into watches for the night ; a pre- 
caution intended to be taken throughout the journey, 
not merely to prevent our being surprised by strangers, 
-but also to show our companions that we were con- 
stantly on our guard. The chief, who, suffered noth- 
ing to escape his observation, remarked, “that he 
should sleep without anxiety among the Esquimaux, 
for he perceived no enemy could surprise us.” 
After supper we retired to rest, but our sleep was 
soon interrupted by the Indians joining in loud lamen- 
tations over a sick child, whom they supposed to be 
