In the Artic Regions. 329 
expressed much regret that he had stayed behind Mr, 
Franklin’s party, and declared that he would set out 
for the house at once if he knew the way. We en- 
deavored to soothe him, and to raise his hopes of the 
Indians speedily coming to our relief, but without 
success. He refused to assist us in cutting wood, but 
about noon, after much solicitation, he set out to hunt. 
Hepburn gathered a kettle of tripe de roche, but 
froze his fingers. Both Hepburn and I fatigued our- 
selves much to-day in pursuing a flock of partridges 
from one part to another of the group of willows, in 
which the hut was situated, but we were too weak to be 
able to approach them with sufficient caution. In the 
evening Michel returned, having met with no success. 
Next day he refused either to hunt or cat wood, 
spoke in a very surly manner, and threatened to leave 
us. Under these circumstances, Mr. Hood and I deem- 
ed it better to promise if he would hunt diligently for 
four days, that then we would give Hepburn a letter 
for Mr, Franklin, a compass, inform him what course 
to pursue, and let them proceed together to the fort. 
The non-arrival of the Indians to our relief, now Jed us 
to fear that some accident had happened to Mr. Frank- 
lin, and we placed no confidence in the exertions of 
the Canadians that accompanied him, but we had the 
fullest confidence in Hepburn’s returning the moment 
he could obtain assistance. 
