In the Arctic Regions. 137 
lays. He received this communication with more 
emper than the preceding, though he immediately 
ssigned asa reason for his declining to go, that “ the 
ndians must now procure a sufficient quantity of 
eer-skins for winter clothing for themselves, and 
resses for the Canadians, who would need them if 
hey had to travel in the winter.” ‘Finding him so 
verse to proceed, and feeling, at the same time, how 
ssential his continuance with us was, not only to our 
uture success, but even to our existence during the 
rinter ; I closed the conversation here, intending to 
iropose to him next morning some modification of the 
lan, which might meet his approbation. Soon after 
ve were gone, however, he informed Mr. Wentzel, © 
vith whom he was in the habit of speaking confi- 
lentially, that as his advice was neglected, his presence 
vas useless, and he should, therefore, return to Fort 
>rovidence with his hunters, after he had collected 
ome winter provision for us. Mr. Wentzel having 
eported this to me, the night was passed in great 
nxiety, and after weighing all the arguments that 
resented themselves to my mind, I came reluctantly 
o the determination of relinquishing the intention of 
‘oing any distance down the river this season. 
The month of September commenced with very 
isagreeable weather. The temperature of the atmos- 
here ranged between 39° and 31° during the first 
