In the Arctic Regions. 147 
again advancing to the northward, but that the leader 
had been joined by several families of old people, and 
that the daily consumption of provision at the Indian 
tents was consequently great. This information exci- 
ted some painful apprehensions of being very scantily 
provided when the period for our departure should arrive. 
The weather in the beginning of May was fine and 
warm. On the 2d some patches of sandy ground near 
the house were cleared of snow. On the 7th the sides 
of the hills began to appear bare, and on the 8th a 
large house fly was seen. This interesting event 
spread cheerfulness through our residence and formed 
a topic of conversation for the rest of the day. 
Dr. Richardson and Mr. Back having visited the 
country to the northward of the Slave Rock, and 
reported that they thought we might travel over it, 
I signified my intention of sending the first party off 
on Monday the 4th of June. I was anxious to get the 
Indians to move on before, but they lingered about 
the house, evidently with the intention of picking up 
such articles as we might deem unnecessary to take. 
When Akaitcho was made acquainted with my pur- 
pose of sending away a party of men, he came to in- 
form me that he would appoint two hunters to accom- 
pany them, and at the same time requested that Dr, 
Richardson, or as he called him, the Medicine Chiet, 
might be sent with his own band. 
