In the Arctic Regions. 299 
clothing, one tent, a sufficiency of ammunition for the 
journey, and the officer’s journals. I had only one 
blanket, which was carried for me, and two pair of 
shoes. The offer was now made for any of the men, 
who felt themselves too weak to proceed, to remain 
with the officers, but none of them accepted it. Mi- 
chel alone felt some inclination to do so. After we 
had united in thanksgiving and prayers to Almighty 
God, I separated from my companions, deeply afflicted 
that a train of melanehély circumstances should have 
demanded of mé the severe trial of parting from friends 
in such a condition, who had become endeared to me 
by their constant kindness, and co-operation, and a 
participation of numerous sufferings. This trial I 
could not have been induced to undergo, but for the 
reasons they had so strongly urged the day before, to 
which my own judgment assented, and for the san- 
guine hope I felt of either finding a supply of pro- 
vision at Fort Enterprize, or meeting the Indians in 
the immediate vicinity of that place, according to my 
arrangements with Mr. Wentzel and Akaitcho. Pre- 
viously to our starting, Peltier and Benoit repeated 
their promises, to return to them with provision, if 
any should be found at the house, or to guide the 
Indians to them, if any were met. . 
Greatly as Mr. Hood was exhausted, and, indeed, 
incapable as he must have proved, of encountering the 
