288 Thirty Years 
turned back, but had neither seen Junius nor Mr 
Back. Of the former he had seen no traces, but hi 
had followed the tracks of Mr. Back’s party for a, con- 
siderable distance, until the hardness of the grounc 
rendered them imperceptible. Junius was wel 
equipped with ammunition, blankets, knives, a kettle 
and other necessaries ; and it was the opinion of Au. 
gustus, that when he found he could not rejoin th« 
party, he would endeavor to gain the woods on th« 
west end of Point Lake, and follow the river until he 
fell in with the Esquimaux, who frequent its mouth 
The Indians too, with whom we have since conversec 
upon this subject, are confident that he would be abl 
to subsist himself during the winter. Crédit, on his 
hunting excursion to-day, found a cap, which ou 
people recognized to belong to one of the hunters whc 
had left usin the spring. This circumstance producec 
the conviction of our being on the banks of the Cop. 
per-Mine River, which all the assertions of the officer: 
had hitherto failed to do with some of the party ; anc 
it had the happy effect of reviving their spirits con. 
siderably. Weconsumed the last of our deer’s mea’ 
this evening at supper. 
Next morning the men went out in search of dry 
willows, and collected eight large fagots, with whicl 
they formed a more buoyant raft than the former, bu 
the wind being still adverse and strong, they delayec 
