354 Thirty Years 
house. Adam, whose expectation of the arrival of the 
Indians had been raised by the fineness of the weather, 
became, towards night, very desponding, and refused 
to eat the singed skin. The night was stormy, and 
there was a heavy fall of snow. The next day he be- 
came still more dejected. About eleven Hepburn, 
who had gone out for wood, came in with the intelli- 
gence that a party appeared upon the river. The 
room was instantly swept, and, in compliance with 
the prejudices of the Indians, every scrap of skin was 
carefully removed out of sight; for these simple peo- 
ple imagine, that burning deer-skin renders them un- 
successful in hunting. The party proved to be 
Crooked-Foot, Thooee-yorre, and the Fop, with the 
wives of the two latter dragging provisions. They 
were accompanied by Benoit, one of our own men. 
We were rejoiced to learn, by a note from Mr. Back, 
dated November 11, that he and his companions had 
so recruited their strength that they were preparing to 
“proceed to Fort Providence. Adam recovered his spirits 
on the arrival of the Indians, and even walked about 
the room with an appearance.of strength and activity 
that surprised us all. As it was of consequence to get 
amongst the reindeer before our present supply should 
fail, we made preparations for quitting Fort Enter- 
prize the next day ; and, accordingly, at an early hour 
on the 16th, having united in thanksgiving and prayer, 
