In the Arctic Regions. 353 
good fire ; and our plentiful cheer gave such power of: 
resisting the cold, that we could scarcely believe other- 
wise than that the season had become milder. 
On the 13th, the weather was stormy, with constant 
snow. The Indians became desponding at the non- 
arrival of the supply, and would neither go to hunt 
nor fish, They frequently expressed their fears of 
some misfortune having befallen Boudel-kell ; and, in 
the evening, went off suddenly, without apprizing us 
of their intention, having first given to each of us a 
handful of pounded meat, which they had reserved. 
_ Their departure, at first, gave rise to a suspicion of 
their having deserted us, not meaning to return, espe- 
cially as the explanations of Adam, who appeared to 
be in their secret, were very unsatisfactory. Atlencth, 
-by interrogations, we got from him the information, 
that they designed to march night and day, until they 
should reach Akaitcho’s encampment, whence they 
would send us aid. As we had combated their fears 
about Boudel-kell, they, perhaps, apprehended that 
we should oppose their determination, and therefore 
concealed it. We were now left a second time with- 
out food, and with appetites recovered, and strongly 
excited by recent indulgence. 
On the following day the Doctor and Hepburn re- 
sumed their former occupation of collecting wood, and 
I was able to assist a little in bringing it into the 
